Index: src_plugins/io_kicad/read.c
===================================================================
--- src_plugins/io_kicad/read.c	(revision 24672)
+++ src_plugins/io_kicad/read.c	(revision 24673)
@@ -1595,9 +1595,13 @@
 	Y += moduleY;
 
 	if (throughHole) {
-		required = BV(0) | BV(1) | BV(3) | BV(5);
+		required = BV(0) | BV(1) | BV(5);
 		if ((*featureTally & required) != required)
 			return kicad_error(subtree, "malformed module pad/pin definition.");
+		if ((*featureTally & BV(3)) == 0) {
+			kicad_error(subtree, "pad error: thru hole without hole diameter, improvising 0.5mm drill");
+			drillx = drilly = PCB_MM_TO_COORD(0.5);
+		}
 		ps = kicad_make_pad_thr(st, subtree, subc, X, Y, padXsize, padYsize, clearance, paste_ratio, drillx, drilly, pad_shape, plated, layers, shape_arg);
 	}
 	else {