diff --git a/cities_light/management/commands/cities_light.py b/cities_light/management/commands/cities_light.py
index 86763112..52268418 100644
--- a/cities_light/management/commands/cities_light.py
+++ b/cities_light/management/commands/cities_light.py
@@ -313,9 +313,10 @@ def region_import(self, items):
         except InvalidItems:
             return
 
+        force_insert = False
+        force_update = False
+
         try:
-            force_insert = False
-            force_update = False
             region = Region.objects.get(geoname_id=items[IRegion.geonameid])
             force_update = True
         except Region.DoesNotExist:
@@ -370,17 +371,6 @@ def city_import(self, items):
         except InvalidItems:
             return
 
-        try:
-            force_insert = False
-            force_update = False
-            city = City.objects.get(geoname_id=items[ICity.geonameid])
-            force_update = True
-        except City.DoesNotExist:
-            if self.noinsert:
-                return
-            city = City(geoname_id=items[ICity.geonameid])
-            force_insert = True
-
         try:
             country_id = self._get_country_id(items[ICity.countryCode])
         except Country.DoesNotExist:
@@ -397,6 +387,25 @@ def city_import(self, items):
         except Region.DoesNotExist:
             region_id = None
 
+        force_insert = False
+        force_update = False
+
+        try:
+            city = City.objects.get(geoname_id=items[ICity.geonameid])
+            force_update = True
+        except City.DoesNotExist:
+            try:
+                # check on duplicate by unique key
+                city = City.objects.get(name=items[ICity.name],
+                                        region_id=region_id)
+                if city:
+                    return
+            except City.DoesNotExist:
+                if self.noinsert:
+                    return
+                city = City(geoname_id=items[ICity.geonameid])
+                force_insert = True
+
         save = False
         if city.country_id != country_id:
             city.country_id = country_id