diff --git a/src/allmydata/immutable/filenode.py b/src/allmydata/immutable/filenode.py
index 7def22c82..79e282d90 100644
--- a/src/allmydata/immutable/filenode.py
+++ b/src/allmydata/immutable/filenode.py
@@ -86,6 +86,8 @@ class CiphertextFileNode:
     def raise_error(self):
         pass
 
+    def is_mutable(self):
+        return False
 
     def check_and_repair(self, monitor, verify=False, add_lease=False):
         c = Checker(verifycap=self._verifycap,
diff --git a/src/allmydata/nodemaker.py b/src/allmydata/nodemaker.py
index c820c71ca..d590bf5ae 100644
--- a/src/allmydata/nodemaker.py
+++ b/src/allmydata/nodemaker.py
@@ -72,12 +72,12 @@ class NodeMaker:
             cap = uri.from_string(bigcap, deep_immutable=deep_immutable,
                                   name=name)
             node = self._create_from_single_cap(cap)
-            if node:
-                self._node_cache[memokey] = node  # note: WeakValueDictionary
-            else:
+            if node is None:
                 # don't cache UnknownNode
                 node = UnknownNode(writecap, readcap,
                                    deep_immutable=deep_immutable, name=name)
+            elif node.is_mutable():
+                self._node_cache[memokey] = node  # note: WeakValueDictionary
 
         if self.blacklist:
             si = node.get_storage_index()