diff --git a/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/logic/services/utilities/InvitationServiceImpl.java b/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/logic/services/utilities/InvitationServiceImpl.java
index 97217b2a2..52192a829 100644
--- a/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/logic/services/utilities/InvitationServiceImpl.java
+++ b/dmp-backend/web/src/main/java/eu/eudat/logic/services/utilities/InvitationServiceImpl.java
@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ public class InvitationServiceImpl implements InvitationService {
             invitation.setUser(creator);
             invitation.setToken(UUID.randomUUID());
             invitation.setAcceptedInvitation(false);
-            invitation.setProperties("<role>" + role + "</role>");
+            invitation.setProperties("<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?>");
+            invitation.setProperties(invitation.getProperties() + "\n" +"<role>" + role + "</role>");
             invitationDao.createOrUpdate(invitation);
             sendInvitationAsync(dmp, invitation, userInfo.getName(), mailService, role);
         }