diff --git a/app/controllers/course/basicdata.php b/app/controllers/course/basicdata.php
index a94a7a48037ef61273eef3fd157cc21c3ccc84f5..8a32bc348857461ed76c11fcb89c6c6fcfef5ef1 100644
--- a/app/controllers/course/basicdata.php
+++ b/app/controllers/course/basicdata.php
@@ -625,8 +625,8 @@ class Course_BasicdataController extends AuthenticatedController
                         $lecturers = $sem->getMembers();
                         foreach ($deputies as $deputy) {
                             // ..but only if not already set as lecturer or deputy.
-                            if (!isset($lecturers[$deputy['user_id']]) && !Deputy::isDeputy($deputy['user_id'], $course_id)) {
-                                Deputy::addDeputy($deputy['user_id'], $course_id);
+                            if (!isset($lecturers[$deputy])) {
+                                Deputy::addDeputy($deputy, $course_id);
                             }
                         }
                     }