diff --git a/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/logic/managers/DataManagementPlanManager.java b/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/logic/managers/DataManagementPlanManager.java
index 49d0816f2..678b10a26 100644
--- a/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/logic/managers/DataManagementPlanManager.java
+++ b/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/logic/managers/DataManagementPlanManager.java
@@ -724,6 +724,7 @@ public class DataManagementPlanManager {
             if (projectEntity != null) project.setId(projectEntity.getId());
             else {
                 project.setType(Project.ProjectType.EXTERNAL.getValue());
+                if (project.getId() == null) project.setId(UUID.randomUUID());
                 projectDao.createOrUpdate(project);
             }
         }