diff --git a/aqt/importing.py b/aqt/importing.py
index eed3008a4..eafbdc64b 100644
--- a/aqt/importing.py
+++ b/aqt/importing.py
@@ -316,28 +316,32 @@ Unable to import from a read-only file."""))
 
 def setupApkgImport(mw, importer):
     meta = None
+    forceFull = False
     try:
         z = zipfile.ZipFile(importer.file)
         meta = json.load(z.open("meta"))
         if not meta['full']:
             # add
             return True
+        elif meta['full'] == "force":
+            forceFull = True
     except:
         # no meta attribute on broken file
         pass
     # if old file or full collection, we have to prompt user
-    diag = askUserDialog(_("""\
+    if not forceFull:
+        diag = askUserDialog(_("""\
 Would you like to add to your collection, or replace it?"""),
-            [_("Add"),
-             _("Replace"),
-             _("Cancel")])
-    diag.setIcon(QMessageBox.Question)
-    diag.setDefault(0)
-    ret = diag.run()
-    if ret == _("Add"):
-        return True
-    elif ret == _("Cancel"):
-        return False
+                [_("Add"),
+                 _("Replace"),
+                 _("Cancel")])
+        diag.setIcon(QMessageBox.Question)
+        diag.setDefault(0)
+        ret = diag.run()
+        if ret == _("Add"):
+            return True
+        elif ret == _("Cancel"):
+            return False
     if not askUser(_("""\
 This will delete your existing collection and replace it with the data in \
 the file you're importing. Are you sure?"""), msgfunc=QMessageBox.warning):
diff --git a/aqt/main.py b/aqt/main.py
index 5ec84b526..749d0acaa 100644
--- a/aqt/main.py
+++ b/aqt/main.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from aqt.qt import *
 QtConfig = pyqtconfig.Configuration()
 
 from anki import Collection
-from anki.utils import stripHTML, checksum, isWin, isMac, intTime
+from anki.utils import stripHTML, checksum, isWin, isMac, intTime, json
 from anki.hooks import runHook, addHook, remHook
 import anki.consts
 
@@ -296,6 +296,7 @@ how to restore from a backup.""")
         z = zipfile.ZipFile(newpath, "w", zipfile.ZIP_DEFLATED)
         z.write(path, "collection.anki2")
         z.writestr("media", "{}")
+        z.writestr("meta", json.dumps(dict(full="force")))
         z.close()
         # remove if over
         if len(backups) + 1 > nbacks: