Descartes on the objective reality of materially false ideas

'The Standard Interpretation' of Descartes on material falsity states that Descartes believed that materially false ideas (MFIs) lack 'objective reality' (realitas objectiva). The argument for the Standard Interpretation depends on a statement from the 'Third Meditation' that MFIs are caused by nothing. This statement, in conjunction with a causal principle introduced by Descartes, seems to entail that MFIs lack objective reality. However, the Standard Interpretation is incorrect. First, I argue that, despite initial appearances, the manner in which Descartes understands the proposition that MFIs are caused by nothing does not entail that they lack objective reality. Secondly, I argue that Descartes is committed to the objective reality of MFIs because of his quasi-scholastic explanation of MFIs.