diff --git a/changelog.d/downloader/2902.bugfix.rst b/changelog.d/downloader/2902.bugfix.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..62cbfea63
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/downloader/2902.bugfix.rst
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+findcog no longer attempts to find a cog for commands without one.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/redbot/cogs/downloader/downloader.py b/redbot/cogs/downloader/downloader.py
index 820f791e3..6451cb5fc 100644
--- a/redbot/cogs/downloader/downloader.py
+++ b/redbot/cogs/downloader/downloader.py
@@ -590,12 +590,16 @@ class Downloader(commands.Cog):
             return
 
         # Check if in installed cogs
-        cog_name = self.cog_name_from_instance(command.cog)
-        installed, cog_installable = await self.is_installed(cog_name)
-        if installed:
-            msg = self.format_findcog_info(command_name, cog_installable)
+        cog = command.cog
+        if cog:
+            cog_name = self.cog_name_from_instance(cog)
+            installed, cog_installable = await self.is_installed(cog_name)
+            if installed:
+                msg = self.format_findcog_info(command_name, cog_installable)
+            else:
+                # Assume it's in a base cog
+                msg = self.format_findcog_info(command_name, cog)
         else:
-            # Assume it's in a base cog
-            msg = self.format_findcog_info(command_name, command.cog)
+            msg = _("This command is not provided by a cog.")
 
         await ctx.send(box(msg))