diff --git a/lib/luks1/keymanage.c b/lib/luks1/keymanage.c
index b2ecef66..933450d3 100644
--- a/lib/luks1/keymanage.c
+++ b/lib/luks1/keymanage.c
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  *
  * Copyright (C) 2004-2006, Clemens Fruhwirth <clemens@endorphin.org>
  * Copyright (C) 2009-2012, Red Hat, Inc. All rights reserved.
- * Copyright (C) 2013, Milan Broz
+ * Copyright (C) 2013-2014, Milan Broz
  *
  * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
  * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
@@ -147,22 +147,20 @@ static const char *dbg_slot_state(crypt_keyslot_info ki)
 	}
 }
 
-int LUKS_hdr_backup(
-	const char *backup_file,
-	struct luks_phdr *hdr,
-	struct crypt_device *ctx)
+int LUKS_hdr_backup(const char *backup_file, struct crypt_device *ctx)
 {
 	struct device *device = crypt_metadata_device(ctx);
+	struct luks_phdr hdr;
 	int r = 0, devfd = -1;
 	ssize_t hdr_size;
 	ssize_t buffer_size;
 	char *buffer = NULL;
 
-	r = LUKS_read_phdr(hdr, 1, 0, ctx);
+	r = LUKS_read_phdr(&hdr, 1, 0, ctx);
 	if (r)
 		return r;
 
-	hdr_size = LUKS_device_sectors(hdr->keyBytes) << SECTOR_SHIFT;
+	hdr_size = LUKS_device_sectors(hdr.keyBytes) << SECTOR_SHIFT;
 	buffer_size = size_round_up(hdr_size, crypt_getpagesize());
 
 	buffer = crypt_safe_alloc(buffer_size);
@@ -172,7 +170,7 @@ int LUKS_hdr_backup(
 	}
 
 	log_dbg("Storing backup of header (%zu bytes) and keyslot area (%zu bytes).",
-		sizeof(*hdr), hdr_size - LUKS_ALIGN_KEYSLOTS);
+		sizeof(hdr), hdr_size - LUKS_ALIGN_KEYSLOTS);
 
 	log_dbg("Output backup file size: %zu bytes.", buffer_size);
 
@@ -190,8 +188,8 @@ int LUKS_hdr_backup(
 	close(devfd);
 
 	/* Wipe unused area, so backup cannot contain old signatures */
-	if (hdr->keyblock[0].keyMaterialOffset * SECTOR_SIZE == LUKS_ALIGN_KEYSLOTS)
-		memset(buffer + sizeof(*hdr), 0, LUKS_ALIGN_KEYSLOTS - sizeof(*hdr));
+	if (hdr.keyblock[0].keyMaterialOffset * SECTOR_SIZE == LUKS_ALIGN_KEYSLOTS)
+		memset(buffer + sizeof(hdr), 0, LUKS_ALIGN_KEYSLOTS - sizeof(hdr));
 
 	devfd = open(backup_file, O_CREAT|O_EXCL|O_WRONLY, S_IRUSR);
 	if (devfd == -1) {
@@ -213,6 +211,7 @@ int LUKS_hdr_backup(
 out:
 	if (devfd != -1)
 		close(devfd);
+	memset(&hdr, 0, sizeof(hdr));
 	crypt_safe_free(buffer);
 	return r;
 }
diff --git a/lib/luks1/luks.h b/lib/luks1/luks.h
index 6d6c74cf..7aef82f9 100644
--- a/lib/luks1/luks.h
+++ b/lib/luks1/luks.h
@@ -130,7 +130,6 @@ int LUKS_hdr_uuid_set(
 
 int LUKS_hdr_backup(
 	const char *backup_file,
-	struct luks_phdr *hdr,
 	struct crypt_device *ctx);
 
 int LUKS_hdr_restore(
diff --git a/lib/setup.c b/lib/setup.c
index 9d63280f..21247115 100644
--- a/lib/setup.c
+++ b/lib/setup.c
@@ -78,6 +78,13 @@ struct crypt_device {
 		struct crypt_params_tcrypt params;
 		struct tcrypt_phdr hdr;
 	} tcrypt;
+	struct { /* used if initialized without header by name */
+		char *active_name;
+		/* buffers, must refresh from kernel on every query */
+		char cipher[MAX_CIPHER_LEN];
+		char cipher_mode[MAX_CIPHER_LEN];
+		unsigned int key_size;
+	} none;
 	} u;
 
 	/* callbacks definitions */
@@ -273,6 +280,15 @@ static int onlyLUKS(struct crypt_device *cd)
 	return r;
 }
 
+static void crypt_set_null_type(struct crypt_device *cd)
+{
+	if (!cd->type)
+		return;
+
+	free(cd->type);
+	cd->type = NULL;
+	cd->u.none.active_name = NULL;
+}
 
 /* keyslot helpers */
 static int keyslot_verify_or_find_empty(struct crypt_device *cd, int *keyslot)
@@ -753,8 +769,7 @@ static int _init_by_name_crypt(struct crypt_device *cd, const char *name)
 			r = _crypt_load_luks1(cd, 0, 0);
 			if (r < 0) {
 				log_dbg("LUKS device header does not match active device.");
-				free(cd->type);
-				cd->type = NULL;
+				crypt_set_null_type(cd);
 				r = 0;
 				goto out;
 			}
@@ -763,14 +778,12 @@ static int _init_by_name_crypt(struct crypt_device *cd, const char *name)
 			if (r < 0) {
 				log_dbg("LUKS device header uuid: %s mismatches DM returned uuid %s",
 					cd->u.luks1.hdr.uuid, dmd.uuid);
-				free(cd->type);
-				cd->type = NULL;
+				crypt_set_null_type(cd);
 				r = 0;
 			}
 		} else {
 			log_dbg("LUKS device header not available.");
-			free(cd->type);
-			cd->type = NULL;
+			crypt_set_null_type(cd);
 			r = 0;
 		}
 	} else if (isTCRYPT(cd->type)) {
@@ -904,7 +917,11 @@ out:
 	if (r < 0) {
 		crypt_free(*cd);
 		*cd = NULL;
+	} else if (!(*cd)->type && name) {
+		/* For anonymous device (no header found) remember initialized name */
+		(*cd)->u.none.active_name = strdup(name);
 	}
+
 	device_free(dmd.data_device);
 	free(CONST_CAST(void*)dmd.uuid);
 	return r;
@@ -1222,8 +1239,7 @@ int crypt_format(struct crypt_device *cd,
 	}
 
 	if (r < 0) {
-		free(cd->type);
-		cd->type = NULL;
+		crypt_set_null_type(cd);
 		crypt_free_volume_key(cd->volume_key);
 		cd->volume_key = NULL;
 	}
@@ -1291,10 +1307,8 @@ int crypt_repair(struct crypt_device *cd,
 
 	/* cd->type and header must be set in context */
 	r = crypt_check_data_device_size(cd);
-	if (r < 0) {
-		free(cd->type);
-		cd->type = NULL;
-	}
+	if (r < 0)
+		crypt_set_null_type(cd);
 
 	return r;
 }
@@ -1383,6 +1397,9 @@ int crypt_header_backup(struct crypt_device *cd,
 	if ((requested_type && !isLUKS(requested_type)) || !backup_file)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
+	if (cd->type && !isLUKS(cd->type))
+		return -EINVAL;
+
 	r = init_crypto(cd);
 	if (r < 0)
 		return r;
@@ -1390,13 +1407,15 @@ int crypt_header_backup(struct crypt_device *cd,
 	log_dbg("Requested header backup of device %s (%s) to "
 		"file %s.", mdata_device_path(cd), requested_type, backup_file);
 
-	return LUKS_hdr_backup(backup_file, &cd->u.luks1.hdr, cd);
+	r = LUKS_hdr_backup(backup_file, cd);
+	return r;
 }
 
 int crypt_header_restore(struct crypt_device *cd,
 			 const char *requested_type,
 			 const char *backup_file)
 {
+	struct luks_phdr hdr;
 	int r;
 
 	if (requested_type && !isLUKS(requested_type))
@@ -1412,7 +1431,10 @@ int crypt_header_restore(struct crypt_device *cd,
 	log_dbg("Requested header restore to device %s (%s) from "
 		"file %s.", mdata_device_path(cd), requested_type, backup_file);
 
-	return LUKS_hdr_restore(backup_file, &cd->u.luks1.hdr, cd);
+	r = LUKS_hdr_restore(backup_file, isLUKS(cd->type) ? &cd->u.luks1.hdr : &hdr, cd);
+
+	memset(&hdr, 0, sizeof(hdr));
+	return r;
 }
 
 void crypt_free(struct crypt_device *cd)
@@ -1438,6 +1460,8 @@ void crypt_free(struct crypt_device *cd)
 			free(CONST_CAST(void*)cd->u.verity.hdr.salt);
 			free(cd->u.verity.root_hash);
 			free(cd->u.verity.uuid);
+		} else if (!cd->type) {
+			free(cd->u.none.active_name);
 		}
 
 		free(cd->type);
@@ -2426,6 +2450,31 @@ int crypt_dump(struct crypt_device *cd)
 	return -EINVAL;
 }
 
+
+static int _init_by_name_crypt_none(struct crypt_device *cd)
+{
+	struct crypt_dm_active_device dmd = {};
+	int r;
+
+	if (cd->type || !cd->u.none.active_name)
+		return -EINVAL;
+
+	r = dm_query_device(cd, cd->u.none.active_name,
+			DM_ACTIVE_CRYPT_CIPHER |
+			DM_ACTIVE_CRYPT_KEYSIZE, &dmd);
+	if (!r)
+		r = crypt_parse_name_and_mode(dmd.u.crypt.cipher,
+					      cd->u.none.cipher, NULL,
+					      cd->u.none.cipher_mode);
+
+	if (!r)
+		cd->u.none.key_size = dmd.u.crypt.vk->keylength;
+
+	crypt_free_volume_key(dmd.u.crypt.vk);
+	free(CONST_CAST(void*)dmd.u.crypt.cipher);
+	return r;
+}
+
 const char *crypt_get_cipher(struct crypt_device *cd)
 {
 	if (isPLAIN(cd->type))
@@ -2440,6 +2489,9 @@ const char *crypt_get_cipher(struct crypt_device *cd)
 	if (isTCRYPT(cd->type))
 		return cd->u.tcrypt.params.cipher;
 
+	if (!cd->type && !_init_by_name_crypt_none(cd))
+		return cd->u.none.cipher;
+
 	return NULL;
 }
 
@@ -2457,6 +2509,9 @@ const char *crypt_get_cipher_mode(struct crypt_device *cd)
 	if (isTCRYPT(cd->type))
 		return cd->u.tcrypt.params.mode;
 
+	if (!cd->type && !_init_by_name_crypt_none(cd))
+		return cd->u.none.cipher_mode;
+
 	return NULL;
 }
 
@@ -2498,6 +2553,9 @@ int crypt_get_volume_key_size(struct crypt_device *cd)
 	if (isTCRYPT(cd->type))
 		return cd->u.tcrypt.params.key_size;
 
+	if (!cd->type && !_init_by_name_crypt_none(cd))
+		return cd->u.none.key_size;
+
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/cryptsetup.c b/src/cryptsetup.c
index 2aa3c556..89cb17b0 100644
--- a/src/cryptsetup.c
+++ b/src/cryptsetup.c
@@ -418,10 +418,10 @@ static int action_status(void)
 				ci == CRYPT_BUSY ? " and is in use" : "");
 
 		r = crypt_init_by_name_and_header(&cd, action_argv[0], opt_header_device);
-		if (r < 0 || !crypt_get_type(cd))
+		if (r < 0)
 			goto out;
 
-		log_std("  type:    %s\n", crypt_get_type(cd));
+		log_std("  type:    %s\n", crypt_get_type(cd) ?: "n/a");
 
 		r = crypt_get_active_device(cd, action_argv[0], &cad);
 		if (r < 0)
diff --git a/tests/api-test.c b/tests/api-test.c
index 65de602e..53f338c1 100644
--- a/tests/api-test.c
+++ b/tests/api-test.c
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * cryptsetup library API check functions
  *
  * Copyright (C) 2009-2013 Red Hat, Inc. All rights reserved.
- * Copyright (C) 2009-2013, Milan Broz
+ * Copyright (C) 2009-2014, Milan Broz
  *
  * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
  * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
@@ -1095,6 +1095,14 @@ static void AddDeviceLuks(void)
 	OK_(crypt_init_by_name_and_header(&cd, CDEVICE_1, DMDIR H_DEVICE));
 	FAIL_(crypt_format(cd, CRYPT_LUKS1, cipher, cipher_mode, NULL, key, key_size, &params), "Context is already formated");
 	EQ_(crypt_status(cd, CDEVICE_1), CRYPT_ACTIVE);
+	crypt_free(cd);
+	// check active status without header
+	OK_(crypt_init_by_name_and_header(&cd, CDEVICE_1, NULL));
+	EQ_(crypt_status(cd, CDEVICE_1), CRYPT_ACTIVE);
+	OK_(!!crypt_get_type(cd));
+	OK_(strcmp(cipher, crypt_get_cipher(cd)));
+	OK_(strcmp(cipher_mode, crypt_get_cipher_mode(cd)));
+	EQ_((int)key_size, crypt_get_volume_key_size(cd));
 	OK_(crypt_deactivate(cd, CDEVICE_1));
 	crypt_free(cd);
 
diff --git a/tests/compat-test b/tests/compat-test
index 86ec8e44..d99661ae 100755
--- a/tests/compat-test
+++ b/tests/compat-test
@@ -533,6 +533,8 @@ echo $PWD1 | $CRYPTSETUP luksFormat -i1 $LOOPDEV --header $HEADER_IMG --align-pa
 echo $PWD1 | $CRYPTSETUP luksOpen $LOOPDEV --header $HEADER_IMG $DEV_NAME || fail
 $CRYPTSETUP -q resize  $DEV_NAME --size 100 --header $HEADER_IMG || fail
 $CRYPTSETUP -q status  $DEV_NAME --header $HEADER_IMG | grep "size:" | grep -q "100 sectors" || fail
+$CRYPTSETUP -q status  $DEV_NAME | grep "type:" | grep -q "n/a" || fail
+$CRYPTSETUP -q status  $DEV_NAME | grep "size:" | grep -q "100 sectors" || fail
 $CRYPTSETUP luksSuspend $DEV_NAME --header $HEADER_IMG || fail
 echo $PWD1 | $CRYPTSETUP luksResume $DEV_NAME --header $HEADER_IMG || fail
 $CRYPTSETUP luksClose $DEV_NAME || fail