diff --git a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/OpenRA.Mods.Common.csproj b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/OpenRA.Mods.Common.csproj
index ffcd625892..bdf595ff57 100644
--- a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/OpenRA.Mods.Common.csproj
+++ b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/OpenRA.Mods.Common.csproj
@@ -595,6 +595,7 @@
     <Compile Include="UpdateRules\Rules\20180923\RemovedNotifyBuildComplete.cs" />
     <Compile Include="UpdateRules\Rules\20180923\ChangeTakeOffSoundAndLandingSound.cs" />
     <Compile Include="UpdateRules\Rules\20180923\AddCarryableHarvester.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="UpdateRules\Rules\20180923\RequireProductionType.cs" />
     <Compile Include="UtilityCommands\CheckYaml.cs" />
     <Compile Include="UtilityCommands\ConvertPngToShpCommand.cs" />
     <Compile Include="UtilityCommands\ConvertSpriteToPngCommand.cs" />
diff --git a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Traits/Render/ProductionBar.cs b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Traits/Render/ProductionBar.cs
index bda3e392a4..2d8b7954cc 100644
--- a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Traits/Render/ProductionBar.cs
+++ b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/Traits/Render/ProductionBar.cs
@@ -17,73 +17,72 @@ using OpenRA.Traits;
 namespace OpenRA.Mods.Common.Traits.Render
 {
 	[Desc("Visualizes the remaining build time of actor produced here.")]
-	class ProductionBarInfo : ITraitInfo, Requires<ProductionInfo>
+	class ProductionBarInfo : ConditionalTraitInfo, Requires<ProductionInfo>
 	{
+		[FieldLoader.Require]
 		[Desc("Production queue type, for actors with multiple queues.")]
 		public readonly string ProductionType = null;
 
 		public readonly Color Color = Color.SkyBlue;
 
-		public object Create(ActorInitializer init) { return new ProductionBar(init.Self, this); }
+		public override object Create(ActorInitializer init) { return new ProductionBar(init.Self, this); }
 	}
 
-	class ProductionBar : ISelectionBar, ITick, INotifyCreated, INotifyOwnerChanged
+	class ProductionBar : ConditionalTrait<ProductionBarInfo>, ISelectionBar, ITick, INotifyOwnerChanged
 	{
-		readonly ProductionBarInfo info;
 		readonly Actor self;
 		ProductionQueue queue;
 		float value;
 
 		public ProductionBar(Actor self, ProductionBarInfo info)
+			: base(info)
 		{
 			this.self = self;
-			this.info = info;
+		}
+
+		protected override void Created(Actor self)
+		{
+			base.Created(self);
+			FindQueue();
 		}
 
 		void FindQueue()
 		{
-			var type = info.ProductionType ?? self.Info.TraitInfo<ProductionInfo>().Produces.First();
-
 			// Per-actor queue
 			// Note: this includes disabled queues, as each bar must bind to exactly one queue.
 			queue = self.TraitsImplementing<ProductionQueue>()
-				.FirstOrDefault(q => type == null || type == q.Info.Type);
+				.FirstOrDefault(q => Info.ProductionType == q.Info.Type);
 
 			if (queue == null)
 			{
 				// No queues available - check for classic production queues
 				queue = self.Owner.PlayerActor.TraitsImplementing<ProductionQueue>()
-					.FirstOrDefault(q => type == null || type == q.Info.Type);
+					.FirstOrDefault(q => Info.ProductionType == q.Info.Type);
 			}
-
-			if (queue == null)
-				throw new InvalidOperationException("No queues available for production type '{0}'".F(type));
-		}
-
-		void INotifyCreated.Created(Actor self)
-		{
-			FindQueue();
 		}
 
 		void ITick.Tick(Actor self)
 		{
+			if (IsTraitDisabled)
+				return;
+
 			var current = queue.AllQueued().Where(i => i.Started).OrderBy(i => i.RemainingTime).FirstOrDefault();
 			value = current != null ? 1 - (float)current.RemainingCost / current.TotalCost : 0;
 		}
 
 		float ISelectionBar.GetValue()
 		{
-			// only people we like should see our production status.
-			if (!self.Owner.IsAlliedWith(self.World.RenderPlayer))
+			// Only people we like should see our production status.
+			if (IsTraitDisabled || !self.Owner.IsAlliedWith(self.World.RenderPlayer))
 				return 0;
 
 			return value;
 		}
 
-		Color ISelectionBar.GetColor() { return info.Color; }
+		Color ISelectionBar.GetColor() { return Info.Color; }
 		bool ISelectionBar.DisplayWhenEmpty { get { return false; } }
 
-		public void OnOwnerChanged(Actor self, Player oldOwner, Player newOwner)
+		void INotifyOwnerChanged.OnOwnerChanged(Actor self, Player oldOwner, Player newOwner)
 		{
 			FindQueue();
 		}
diff --git a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/UpdateRules/Rules/20180923/RequireProductionType.cs b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/UpdateRules/Rules/20180923/RequireProductionType.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..46b00458d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/UpdateRules/Rules/20180923/RequireProductionType.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+#region Copyright & License Information
+/*
+ * Copyright 2007-2018 The OpenRA Developers (see AUTHORS)
+ * This file is part of OpenRA, which is free software. It is made
+ * available to you under the terms of the GNU General Public License
+ * as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of
+ * the License, or (at your option) any later version. For more
+ * information, see COPYING.
+ */
+#endregion
+
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+
+namespace OpenRA.Mods.Common.UpdateRules.Rules
+{
+	public class RequireProductionType : UpdateRule
+	{
+		public override string Name { get { return "Require 'ProductionType' on 'ProductionBar'"; } }
+		public override string Description
+		{
+			get
+			{
+				return "The 'ProductionBar' trait now requires the 'ProductionType' to be set.\n" +
+				"The value will be automatically set to the first value in 'Produces' of the first 'Production' trait.";
+			}
+		}
+
+		readonly string[] productionTraits = { "Production", "ProductionAirdrop", "ProductionParadrop", "ProductionFromMapEdge" };
+
+		public override IEnumerable<string> UpdateActorNode(ModData modData, MiniYamlNode actorNode)
+		{
+			foreach (var pb in actorNode.ChildrenMatching("ProductionBar"))
+			{
+				var type = pb.LastChildMatching("ProductionType");
+				if (type != null)
+					continue;
+
+				MiniYamlNode production = null;
+				foreach (var trait in productionTraits)
+				{
+					if (production != null)
+						break;
+
+					production = actorNode.ChildrenMatching(trait).FirstOrDefault();
+				}
+
+				if (production == null)
+					continue;
+
+				var produces = production.LastChildMatching("Produces");
+				if (produces == null)
+					continue;
+
+				var toAdd = produces.NodeValue<string[]>().FirstOrDefault();
+				if (toAdd != null)
+					pb.AddNode("ProductionType", toAdd);
+			}
+
+			yield break;
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/UpdateRules/UpdatePath.cs b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/UpdateRules/UpdatePath.cs
index f4fcdf9287..787e3dad49 100644
--- a/OpenRA.Mods.Common/UpdateRules/UpdatePath.cs
+++ b/OpenRA.Mods.Common/UpdateRules/UpdatePath.cs
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@ namespace OpenRA.Mods.Common.UpdateRules
 				new AddRearmable(),
 				new MergeAttackPlaneAndHeli(),
 				new RemovedDemolishLocking(),
+				new RequireProductionType(),
 			})
 		};
 
diff --git a/mods/cnc/rules/structures.yaml b/mods/cnc/rules/structures.yaml
index 9736c08ab2..c3538d130c 100644
--- a/mods/cnc/rules/structures.yaml
+++ b/mods/cnc/rules/structures.yaml
@@ -322,6 +322,7 @@ PYLE:
 		OnHoldAudio: OnHold
 		CancelledAudio: Cancelled
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Infantry.GDI
 	Power:
 		Amount: -20
 	ProvidesPrerequisite@buildingname:
@@ -372,6 +373,7 @@ HAND:
 		OnHoldAudio: OnHold
 		CancelledAudio: Cancelled
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Infantry.Nod
 	Power:
 		Amount: -20
 	ProvidesPrerequisite@buildingname:
@@ -431,6 +433,7 @@ AFLD:
 		OnHoldAudio: OnHold
 		CancelledAudio: Cancelled
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Vehicle.Nod
 	Power:
 		Amount: -40
 	ProvidesPrerequisite@buildingname:
@@ -489,6 +492,7 @@ WEAP:
 		OnHoldAudio: OnHold
 		CancelledAudio: Cancelled
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Vehicle.GDI
 	Power:
 		Amount: -40
 	ProvidesPrerequisite@buildingname:
diff --git a/mods/cnc/rules/tech.yaml b/mods/cnc/rules/tech.yaml
index b4e31bb824..74e598b9e5 100644
--- a/mods/cnc/rules/tech.yaml
+++ b/mods/cnc/rules/tech.yaml
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ BIO:
 		OnHoldAudio: OnHold
 		CancelledAudio: Cancelled
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Biolab
 	RallyPoint:
 		Offset: -1,-1
 	SpawnActorOnDeath:
diff --git a/mods/d2k/rules/structures.yaml b/mods/d2k/rules/structures.yaml
index c68ce01b1f..d4bcec2cfc 100644
--- a/mods/d2k/rules/structures.yaml
+++ b/mods/d2k/rules/structures.yaml
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ construction_yard:
 		ActorTypes: light_inf, light_inf, engineer
 	BaseBuilding:
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Building
 	Power:
 		Amount: 20
 	RenderSprites:
@@ -215,6 +216,7 @@ barracks:
 		ProductionQueues: Infantry
 		SelectionNotification: PrimaryBuildingSelected
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Infantry
 	ProvidesPrerequisite@atreides:
 		Prerequisite: barracks.atreides
 		Factions: atreides
@@ -426,6 +428,7 @@ light_factory:
 		ProductionQueues: Vehicle
 		SelectionNotification: PrimaryBuildingSelected
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Vehicle
 	ProvidesPrerequisite@atreides:
 		Prerequisite: light.atreides
 		Factions: atreides
@@ -507,6 +510,7 @@ heavy_factory:
 		ProductionQueues: Armor
 		SelectionNotification: PrimaryBuildingSelected
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Armor
 	ProvidesPrerequisite@atreides:
 		Prerequisite: heavy.atreides
 		Factions: atreides
@@ -669,6 +673,7 @@ starport:
 		RequiresCondition: !build-incomplete
 		Palette: starportlights
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Starport
 	PrimaryBuilding:
 		PrimaryCondition: primary
 		ProductionQueues: Starport
@@ -933,6 +938,7 @@ high_tech_factory:
 	ProductionFromMapEdge:
 		Produces: Aircraft, Upgrade
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Aircraft
 	PrimaryBuilding:
 		PrimaryCondition: primary
 		ProductionQueues: Aircraft
diff --git a/mods/ra/rules/structures.yaml b/mods/ra/rules/structures.yaml
index a91d30e288..dac3ab1b67 100644
--- a/mods/ra/rules/structures.yaml
+++ b/mods/ra/rules/structures.yaml
@@ -205,6 +205,7 @@ SPEN:
 		PlayerExperience: 15
 	RallyPoint:
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Ship
 	Power:
 		Amount: -30
 	DetectCloaked:
@@ -326,6 +327,7 @@ SYRD:
 		PlayerExperience: 15
 	RallyPoint:
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Ship
 	Power:
 		Amount: -30
 	DetectCloaked:
@@ -1055,6 +1057,7 @@ WEAP:
 		PrimaryCondition: primary
 		SelectionNotification: PrimaryBuildingSelected
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Vehicle
 	Power:
 		Amount: -30
 	ProvidesPrerequisite@buildingname:
@@ -1320,6 +1323,7 @@ HPAD:
 		Produces: Aircraft, Helicopter
 	Reservable:
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Aircraft
 	PrimaryBuilding:
 		PrimaryCondition: primary
 		SelectionNotification: PrimaryBuildingSelected
@@ -1488,6 +1492,7 @@ AFLD:
 		ClockSequence: clock
 		CircleSequence: circles
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Aircraft
 	SupportPowerChargeBar:
 	PrimaryBuilding:
 		PrimaryCondition: primary
@@ -1684,6 +1689,7 @@ BARR:
 		PrimaryCondition: primary
 		SelectionNotification: PrimaryBuildingSelected
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Infantry
 	ProvidesPrerequisite:
 		Prerequisite: barracks
 	ProvidesPrerequisite@soviet:
@@ -1766,6 +1772,7 @@ KENN:
 		PrimaryCondition: primary
 		SelectionNotification: PrimaryBuildingSelected
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Infantry
 	-SpawnActorsOnSell:
 	Power:
 		Amount: -10
@@ -1826,6 +1833,7 @@ TENT:
 		PrimaryCondition: primary
 		SelectionNotification: PrimaryBuildingSelected
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Infantry
 	ProvidesPrerequisite@barracks:
 		Prerequisite: barracks
 	ProvidesPrerequisite@allies:
diff --git a/mods/ts/rules/gdi-structures.yaml b/mods/ts/rules/gdi-structures.yaml
index 78e156397b..587110bb34 100644
--- a/mods/ts/rules/gdi-structures.yaml
+++ b/mods/ts/rules/gdi-structures.yaml
@@ -110,6 +110,7 @@ GAPILE:
 		PrimaryCondition: primary
 		SelectionNotification: PrimaryBuildingSelected
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Infantry
 	WithIdleOverlay@LIGHTS:
 		RequiresCondition: !build-incomplete
 		Sequence: idle-lights
@@ -174,6 +175,7 @@ GAWEAP:
 		PrimaryCondition: primary
 		SelectionNotification: PrimaryBuildingSelected
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Vehicle
 	WithIdleOverlay@ROOF:
 		RequiresCondition: !build-incomplete
 		Sequence: idle-roof
@@ -242,6 +244,7 @@ GAHPAD:
 		PlayerExperience: 15
 		StartRepairingNotification: Repairing
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Air
 	WithIdleOverlay@PLATFORM:
 		RequiresCondition: !build-incomplete
 		Sequence: idle-platform
diff --git a/mods/ts/rules/nod-structures.yaml b/mods/ts/rules/nod-structures.yaml
index ceba1b6e02..c727e2b970 100644
--- a/mods/ts/rules/nod-structures.yaml
+++ b/mods/ts/rules/nod-structures.yaml
@@ -119,6 +119,7 @@ NAHAND:
 		PrimaryCondition: primary
 		SelectionNotification: PrimaryBuildingSelected
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Infantry
 	WithIdleOverlay@LIGHTS:
 		RequiresCondition: !build-incomplete
 		Sequence: idle-lights
@@ -180,6 +181,7 @@ NAWEAP:
 		PrimaryCondition: primary
 		SelectionNotification: PrimaryBuildingSelected
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Vehicle
 	WithIdleOverlay@ROOF:
 		RequiresCondition: !build-incomplete
 		Sequence: idle-roof
@@ -242,6 +244,7 @@ NAHPAD:
 		PlayerExperience: 15
 		StartRepairingNotification: Repairing
 	ProductionBar:
+		ProductionType: Air
 	WithIdleOverlay@PLATFORM:
 		RequiresCondition: !build-incomplete
 		Sequence: idle-platform