diff --git a/pillar/application/modules/projects.py b/pillar/application/modules/projects.py
index 50148668..7a4248b5 100644
--- a/pillar/application/modules/projects.py
+++ b/pillar/application/modules/projects.py
@@ -40,6 +40,10 @@ def override_is_private_field(project, original):
     :param project: the project, which will be updated
     """
 
+    if 'permissions' not in project:
+        project['is_private'] = False
+        return
+
     world_perms = project['permissions'].get('world', [])
     project['is_private'] = 'GET' not in world_perms