diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/data/dataObject.js b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/data/dataObject.js
index 8760119a9c..5d734540f9 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/data/dataObject.js
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/data/dataObject.js
@@ -561,8 +561,9 @@ Zotero.DataObject.prototype.hasChanged = function() {
 }
 
 Zotero.DataObject.prototype._initSave = Zotero.Promise.coroutine(function* (env) {
-	if (!this.libraryID) {
-		throw new Error("libraryID must be set before saving " + this._objectType);
+	// Default to user library if not specified
+	if (this.libraryID === null) {
+		this.libraryID = Zotero.Libraries.userLibraryID;
 	}
 	
 	env.isNew = !this.id;
diff --git a/test/tests/itemTest.js b/test/tests/itemTest.js
index e357f5cd56..ced7effe1d 100644
--- a/test/tests/itemTest.js
+++ b/test/tests/itemTest.js
@@ -2,20 +2,17 @@ describe("Zotero.Item", function() {
 	describe("#getField()", function () {
 		it("should return false for valid unset fields on unsaved items", function* () {
 			var item = new Zotero.Item('book');
-			item.libraryID = Zotero.Libraries.userLibraryID;
 			assert.equal(item.getField('rights'), false);
 		});
 		
 		it("should return false for valid unset fields on unsaved items after setting on another field", function* () {
 			var item = new Zotero.Item('book');
-			item.libraryID = Zotero.Libraries.userLibraryID;
 			item.setField('title', 'foo');
 			assert.equal(item.getField('rights'), false);
 		});
 		
 		it("should return false for invalid unset fields on unsaved items after setting on another field", function* () {
 			var item = new Zotero.Item('book');
-			item.libraryID = Zotero.Libraries.userLibraryID;
 			item.setField('title', 'foo');
 			assert.equal(item.getField('invalid'), false);
 		});
@@ -25,11 +22,9 @@ describe("Zotero.Item", function() {
 		it("should create a child note", function () {
 			return Zotero.DB.executeTransaction(function* () {
 				var item = new Zotero.Item('book');
-				item.libraryID = Zotero.Libraries.userLibraryID;
 				var parentItemID = yield item.save();
 				
 				item = new Zotero.Item('note');
-				item.libraryID = Zotero.Libraries.userLibraryID;
 				item.parentID = parentItemID;
 				var childItemID = yield item.save();
 				
diff --git a/test/tests/itemsTest.js b/test/tests/itemsTest.js
index 735c501d25..093c63cf1b 100644
--- a/test/tests/itemsTest.js
+++ b/test/tests/itemsTest.js
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ describe("Zotero.Items", function() {
 		it("should return a libraryID and key within a transaction", function* () {
 			return Zotero.DB.executeTransaction(function* () {
 				var item = new Zotero.Item('book');
-				item.libraryID = Zotero.Libraries.userLibraryID;
 				var itemID = yield item.save();
 				
 				var {libraryID, key} = Zotero.Items.getLibraryAndKeyFromID(itemID);
@@ -19,7 +18,6 @@ describe("Zotero.Items", function() {
 			try {
 				yield Zotero.DB.executeTransaction(function* () {
 					var item = new Zotero.Item('book');
-					item.libraryID = Zotero.Libraries.userLibraryID;
 					itemID = yield item.save();
 					throw 'Aborting transaction -- ignore';
 				});