diff --git a/lib/galaxy/datatypes/sequence.py b/lib/galaxy/datatypes/sequence.py
index b9ab50733f3..d9f69ecd346 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/datatypes/sequence.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/datatypes/sequence.py
@@ -63,6 +63,12 @@ class Maf( Alignment ):
                 if i > 100000: break
         except: pass
         dataset.metadata.species = species
+    
+    def missing_meta( self, dataset ):
+        """Checks to see if species is set"""
+        if dataset.metadata.species in [None, []]:
+            return True
+        return False
 
 class Axt( Alignment ):
     """Class describing an axt alignment"""