diff --git a/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/dataaccess/db/PersonDAO.java b/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/dataaccess/db/PersonDAO.java
index 84c45062d8360d2ab0d8e03ab481571d53cd09c0..66888a33491df0de859f258f27888a61a0b6d551 100644
--- a/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/dataaccess/db/PersonDAO.java
+++ b/openbis/source/java/ch/systemsx/cisd/openbis/generic/server/dataaccess/db/PersonDAO.java
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ public final class PersonDAO extends AbstractGenericEntityDAO<PersonPE> implemen
             {
                 person.getPersonDisplaySettings().setId(person.getId());
             }
-            template.update(person.getPersonDisplaySettings());
+            template.merge(person.getPersonDisplaySettings()); // cannot be update - look below
         }
         template.merge(person); // WORKAROUND update cannot be used - see LMS-1603
         template.flush();