diff --git a/common/android.py b/common/android.py
index 6f03d0ee84..a4b8b836e6 100644
--- a/common/android.py
+++ b/common/android.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import itertools
 import re
 import struct
 import subprocess
+import random
 
 ANDROID = os.path.isfile('/EON')
 
@@ -19,7 +20,8 @@ def get_imei(slot):
 
   ret = parse_service_call_string(service_call(["iphonesubinfo", "3" ,"i32", str(slot)]))
   if not ret:
-    ret = "000000000000000"
+    # allow non android to be identified differently
+    ret = "%015d" % random.randint(0, 1<<32)
   return ret
 
 def get_serial():