diff --git a/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/business/bo/util/SampleOwner.java b/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/business/bo/util/SampleOwner.java
index cc2972af3026b56cb560bbad8bdc5dab85608413..6aec0f6af918ffdfe436b44e343c37b58ab5bbaa 100644
--- a/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/business/bo/util/SampleOwner.java
+++ b/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/business/bo/util/SampleOwner.java
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ public final class SampleOwner
     public SampleOwner(ProjectPE projectOrNull)
     {
         this.projectOrNull = projectOrNull;
+        if (projectOrNull != null)
+        {
+            spaceOrNull = projectOrNull.getSpace();
+        }
     }
 
     public SampleOwner(final SpacePE spaceOrNull)