diff --git a/COE_TotemData.lua b/COE_TotemData.lua
index 4103f37..baa211c 100644
--- a/COE_TotemData.lua
+++ b/COE_TotemData.lua
@@ -54,6 +54,41 @@ COE["PendingTotems"] = {
     Air = {Totem = nil, Rank = 0, TimeoutStartMS = 0}
 };
 
+--[[ ----------------------------------------------------------------
+	COE.TotemElementsByName is the fallback ScanTotems uses when the
+	element cannot be read from the spell tooltip. The
+	"Tools: <Element> Totem" line names the totem item, so it stays
+	incomplete until that item is in the client's item cache (WDB).
+	A client whose WDB was cleared (the OctoWoW launcher does this on
+	every launch by default) scans at login with an empty cache.
+	English spell names only; other locales still rely on the tooltip.
+-------------------------------------------------------------------]]
+COE["TotemElementsByName"] = {
+    ["Earthbind Totem"] = "Earth",
+    ["Stoneclaw Totem"] = "Earth",
+    ["Stoneskin Totem"] = "Earth",
+    ["Strength of Earth Totem"] = "Earth",
+    ["Tremor Totem"] = "Earth",
+    ["Fire Nova Totem"] = "Fire",
+    ["Flametongue Totem"] = "Fire",
+    ["Frost Resistance Totem"] = "Fire",
+    ["Magma Totem"] = "Fire",
+    ["Searing Totem"] = "Fire",
+    ["Disease Cleansing Totem"] = "Water",
+    ["Fire Resistance Totem"] = "Water",
+    ["Healing Stream Totem"] = "Water",
+    ["Mana Spring Totem"] = "Water",
+    ["Mana Tide Totem"] = "Water",
+    ["Poison Cleansing Totem"] = "Water",
+    ["Grace of Air Totem"] = "Air",
+    ["Grounding Totem"] = "Air",
+    ["Nature Resistance Totem"] = "Air",
+    ["Sentry Totem"] = "Air",
+    ["Tranquil Air Totem"] = "Air",
+    ["Windfury Totem"] = "Air",
+    ["Windwall Totem"] = "Air"
+};
+
 --[[ ----------------------------------------------------------------
 	COE.CleansingTotems stores pointers to the buttons and totems
 	that are able to cleanse poisons, diseases and sleep, charm
@@ -270,6 +305,18 @@ function COE:ScanTotems()
                     end
                 end
 
+                -- no element from the tooltip: fall back to the
+                -- known totem names (see COE.TotemElementsByName)
+                -- ------------------------------------------------
+                if (totem.Element == "") then
+                    local element = COE.TotemElementsByName[SpellName];
+                    if (element) then
+                        totem.Element = element;
+                        COE.TotemsAvailable[element] =
+                            COE.TotemsAvailable[element] + 1;
+                    end
+                end
+
                 -- get totem texture
                 -- ------------------
                 totem.Texture = GetSpellTexture(i, BOOKTYPE_SPELL);
@@ -307,9 +354,10 @@ function COE:ScanTotems()
             totem.Ranks[rank] = totemrank;
             if (rank > totem.MaxRank) then totem.MaxRank = rank; end
 
-            -- is this a new totem?
-            -- ---------------------
-            if (newtotem) then
+            -- is this a new totem? a spell that only has "Totem" in its
+            -- name but no element is not a placeable totem: leave it out
+            -- ------------------------------------------------------------
+            if (newtotem and totem.Element ~= "") then
                 -- store totem
                 -- ------------
                 COE.TotemCount = COE.TotemCount + 1;
@@ -332,7 +380,10 @@ function COE:ScanTotems()
             -- check visibility options
             -- =======================================================================
 
-            if (COE_DisplayedTotems[SpellName] == nil) then
+            if (totem.Element == "") then
+                COE:DebugMessage("Skipped spell without a totem element: " ..
+                                     SpellName);
+            elseif (COE_DisplayedTotems[SpellName] == nil) then
                 -- perhaps a new totem. set it to default visible
                 -- and reorder it when the element count is known
                 -- -----------------------------------------------
diff --git a/COE_TotemLogic.lua b/COE_TotemLogic.lua
index 7d784d5..dcf025f 100644
--- a/COE_TotemLogic.lua
+++ b/COE_TotemLogic.lua
@@ -641,9 +641,15 @@ function COE_Totem:SetPendingTotem(totem, rank)
 
         -- Set PendingTotems for the given totem element type
         COE:DebugMessage("SetPendingTotem PendingTotems being set: " ..
-                             totem.SpellName .. " with rank: " .. rank);
-        COE.PendingTotems[totem.Element].Totem = totem;
-        COE.PendingTotems[totem.Element].Rank = rank;
+                             totem.SpellName .. " with rank: " .. tostring(rank));
+        local pending = COE.PendingTotems[totem.Element];
+        if (not pending) then
+            -- no known element: cast without a timer instead of erroring
+            -- ------------------------------------------------------------
+            return;
+        end
+        pending.Totem = totem;
+        pending.Rank = rank;
         -- COE.PendingTotems[totem.Element].TimeoutStartMS = GetTime();
 
         -- get the current lag - Not used but saving if needed