diff --git a/gene2phenotype_project/gene2phenotype_app/serializers/curation.py b/gene2phenotype_project/gene2phenotype_app/serializers/curation.py
index 43d1fadc..389a5156 100644
--- a/gene2phenotype_project/gene2phenotype_app/serializers/curation.py
+++ b/gene2phenotype_project/gene2phenotype_app/serializers/curation.py
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ def publish(self, data):
             # Get or create publications
             # Publications should be stored in the db before any data is stored
             try:
-                publication_serializer = PublicationSerializer(data=publication_data)
+                publication_serializer = PublicationSerializer(data=publication_data, context={'user':user_obj})
                 # Validate the input data
                 if publication_serializer.is_valid(raise_exception=True):
                     # save and create publication obj
diff --git a/gene2phenotype_project/gene2phenotype_app/serializers/publication.py b/gene2phenotype_project/gene2phenotype_app/serializers/publication.py
index 58555b71..cfbf616b 100644
--- a/gene2phenotype_project/gene2phenotype_app/serializers/publication.py
+++ b/gene2phenotype_project/gene2phenotype_app/serializers/publication.py
@@ -234,6 +234,8 @@ def create(self, validated_data):
         comment = validated_data.get('comment') # extra data - comment
         number_of_families = validated_data.get('families') # extra data - families reported in publication
 
+        user_obj = self.context.get('user')
+
         try:
             publication_obj = Publication.objects.get(pmid=pmid)
 
@@ -266,7 +268,7 @@ def create(self, validated_data):
         if comment is not None:
             PublicationCommentSerializer(
                 # the user is necessary to save the comment
-                context={'user': self.context.get('user')}
+                context={'user': user_obj}
             ).create(comment, publication_obj)
 
         # Add family info linked to publication