diff --git a/src/probeinterface/io.py b/src/probeinterface/io.py
index ef79f45..0646c75 100644
--- a/src/probeinterface/io.py
+++ b/src/probeinterface/io.py
@@ -1264,7 +1264,7 @@ def write_imro(file: str | Path, probe: Probe):
         f.write("".join(ret))
 
 
-def read_spikegadgets(file: str | Path) -> ProbeGroup:
+def read_spikegadgets(file: str | Path, raise_error: bool = True) -> ProbeGroup:
     """
     Find active channels of the given Neuropixels probe from a SpikeGadgets .rec file.
     SpikeGadgets headstages support up to three Neuropixels 1.0 probes (as of March 28, 2024),
@@ -1300,6 +1300,11 @@ def read_spikegadgets(file: str | Path) -> ProbeGroup:
     probe_configs = [device for device in hconf if device.attrib["name"] == "NeuroPixels1"]
     n_probes = len(probe_configs)
 
+    if n_probes == 0:
+        if raise_error:
+            raise Exception("No Neuropixels 1.0 probes found")
+        return None
+
     # Container to store Probe objects
     probe_group = ProbeGroup()
 
diff --git a/tests/test_io/test_spikegadgets.py b/tests/test_io/test_spikegadgets.py
index 5cb1814..7415db9 100644
--- a/tests/test_io/test_spikegadgets.py
+++ b/tests/test_io/test_spikegadgets.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ def test_parse_meta():
 
 
 def test_neuropixels_1_reader():
-    probe_group = read_spikegadgets(data_path / test_file)
+    probe_group = read_spikegadgets(data_path / test_file, raise_error=False)
     assert len(probe_group.probes) == 2
     for probe in probe_group.probes:
         assert "1.0" in probe.model_name