diff --git a/updateBOM_ITEM.py b/updateBOM_ITEM.py
index c013c6d67946021119886474ccd201a50302d589..172e42aa29bed5b4c6d80dad72086f387c0263cc 100644
--- a/updateBOM_ITEM.py
+++ b/updateBOM_ITEM.py
@@ -43,7 +43,20 @@ def _get_adir():
     return adir
 
 
+def add_attribute():
+    try:
+        acad = GetActiveObject("AutoCAD.Application")
+    except:
+        acad = CreateObject("AutoCAD.Application", dynamic=True)
+    doc = acad.ActiveDocument
+    block = doc.Blocks.Item('BOM_ITEM')
+    insertion_point = array.array('d', [100.0, 100.0, 0.0])
+    block.AddAttribute(2.0000, 1, 'New_Attribute_Test',
+                       insertion_point, 'New_Attribute_Test', '1')
+    doc.Utility.Prompt("Adding new attribute\n")
+
 def process(doc):
+    add_attribute()
     for entity in doc.ModelSpace:
         try:
             name = entity.EntityName
@@ -97,7 +110,7 @@ def main():
                 acad.Documents.Close()
         except:
             pass
-        doc = acad.Documents.Open(afile, ReadOnly=False)
+        doc = acad.Documents.Open(afile)
         for i in range(3):
             try:
                 doc = acad.ActiveDocument