diff --git a/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/business/bo/AbstractBusinessObject.java b/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/business/bo/AbstractBusinessObject.java
index 2f1d45853bbed549329a90461301f21ee4adfc85..5b6b62a4ee8f84eda36814d8a7b6a2dd2e35cc99 100644
--- a/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/business/bo/AbstractBusinessObject.java
+++ b/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/business/bo/AbstractBusinessObject.java
@@ -236,8 +236,15 @@ abstract class AbstractBusinessObject implements IDAOFactory
             metaprojects.add(metaproject);
         }
 
-        Collection<MetaprojectPE> currentMetaprojects =
-                getMetaprojectDAO().listMetaprojectsForEntity(owner, entity);
+        Collection<MetaprojectPE> currentMetaprojects = null;
+
+        if (entity.getId() != null)
+        {
+            currentMetaprojects = getMetaprojectDAO().listMetaprojectsForEntity(owner, entity);
+        } else
+        {
+            currentMetaprojects = new HashSet<MetaprojectPE>();
+        }
 
         Set<MetaprojectPE> metaprojectsToAdd = new HashSet<MetaprojectPE>();
         Set<MetaprojectPE> metaprojectsToRemove = new HashSet<MetaprojectPE>();