diff --git a/opentech/apply/determinations/forms.py b/opentech/apply/determinations/forms.py
index c564f8c1e949a048e53270c0677459fd4bf860d5..16cf77389ed4eeca3a6a53200ce7cb0f41a7c14f 100644
--- a/opentech/apply/determinations/forms.py
+++ b/opentech/apply/determinations/forms.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ class BaseDeterminationForm(forms.ModelForm):
         if action:
             initial.update(outcome=self.get_determination_from_action_name(action))
         initial.update(submission=submission.id)
-        initial.update(author=user)
+        initial.update(author=user.id)
 
         if instance:
             for key, value in instance.data.items():