diff --git a/artiq/master/worker_impl.py b/artiq/master/worker_impl.py
index 854d1a31f..a638a1048 100644
--- a/artiq/master/worker_impl.py
+++ b/artiq/master/worker_impl.py
@@ -136,10 +136,21 @@ register_experiment = make_parent_action("register_experiment")
 class ExamineDeviceMgr:
     get_device_db = make_parent_action("get_device_db")
 
+    @staticmethod
     def get(name):
         return DummyDevice()
 
 
+class ExamineDatasetMgr:
+    @staticmethod
+    def get(key, archive=False):
+        return ParentDatasetDB.get(key)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def update(self, mod):
+        pass
+
+
 def examine(device_mgr, dataset_mgr, file):
     module = file_import(file)
     for class_name, exp_class in module.__dict__.items():
@@ -252,7 +263,7 @@ def main():
                     f["expid"] = pyon.encode(expid)
                 put_object({"action": "completed"})
             elif action == "examine":
-                examine(ExamineDeviceMgr, ParentDatasetDB, obj["file"])
+                examine(ExamineDeviceMgr, ExamineDatasetMgr, obj["file"])
                 put_object({"action": "completed"})
             elif action == "terminate":
                 break