diff --git a/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/dataaccess/db/SampleRelationshipDAO.java b/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/dataaccess/db/SampleRelationshipDAO.java
index 875eee2dac6bcd79195552f35f2b73d168494706..4851c56e2afa7ca42277a0e951f220d91e126a79 100644
--- a/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/dataaccess/db/SampleRelationshipDAO.java
+++ b/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/dataaccess/db/SampleRelationshipDAO.java
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ public class SampleRelationshipDAO extends AbstractGenericEntityDAO<SampleRelati
         for (SampleRelationshipPE sampleRelationship : sampleRelationships)
         {
             sampleRelationship.setRelationship(relationshipType);
-            getHibernateTemplate().persist(sampleRelationship);
+            getHibernateTemplate().update(sampleRelationship);
         }
     }