diff --git a/app/controllers/course/basicdata.php b/app/controllers/course/basicdata.php
index bc20ed5fe387d5edf9a6184f37917a4862ea2ca3..4db4dee5bf757ea8d5ff8b312f663fdf076dfa8c 100644
--- a/app/controllers/course/basicdata.php
+++ b/app/controllers/course/basicdata.php
@@ -632,8 +632,8 @@ 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);
                             }
                         }
                     }