diff --git a/django_project_base/rest/project.py b/django_project_base/rest/project.py
index 5fa6d735..897d4c51 100644
--- a/django_project_base/rest/project.py
+++ b/django_project_base/rest/project.py
@@ -45,21 +45,15 @@ class ProjectSerializer(DynamicModelSerializerMixin, ModelSerializer):
     MODEL_FUNC_SETTING_NAME = "DJANGO_PROJECT_BASE_PROJECT_MODEL_AT_RUNTIME"
     LAYOUT_FUNC_SETTING_NAME = "DJANGO_PROJECT_BASE_PROJECT_LAYOUT_AT_RUNTIME"
 
-    def __init__(self, *args, is_filter: bool = False, **kwds):
-        super().__init__(*args, is_filter=is_filter, **kwds)
-
-        if self.context.get("view") and self.context["view"].format_kwarg == "componentdef":
-            self.fields.fields["owner"].display_table = DisplayMode.SUPPRESS
-            if self.context["view"].detail and self.instance.pk is None:
-                # we are rendering new form
-                self.fields.fields["owner"].display_form = DisplayMode.HIDDEN
-
     # logo = fields.FileField(display=DisplayMode.SUPPRESS, required=False)  # todo: not implemented UI
-    owner = fields.AutoGeneratedField(display_table=DisplayMode.SUPPRESS, display_form=DisplayMode.HIDDEN)
 
     class Meta:
         model = swapper.load_model("django_project_base", "Project")
-        exclude = ("logo",)  # TODO we currently don't support logos well. see DPB #3
+
+        # we can remove the owner, because they're set at project creation and there will be a separate API for changing
+        # TODO we currently don't support logos well. see DPB #3
+        exclude = ("logo", "owner")
+
         layout = Layout(Row("name"), Row("slug"), Row("description"))
 
 
@@ -68,15 +62,6 @@ class ProjectViewSet(DynamicModelMixin, ModelViewSet):
     permission_classes = (IsProjectOwnerOrReadOnly | CreateAny,)
     MODEL_FUNC_SETTING_NAME = "DJANGO_PROJECT_BASE_PROJECT_MODEL_AT_RUNTIME"
 
-    def new_object(self: ModelViewSet):
-        new_object = super().new_object()
-        if self.request and self.request.user and self.request.user.is_authenticated:
-            new_object.owner = getattr(
-                self.request.user, swapper.load_model("django_project_base", "Profile")._meta.model_name
-            )
-
-        return new_object
-
     @staticmethod
     def _get_queryset_for_request(request):
         try:
@@ -198,6 +183,13 @@ def set_args(name: str) -> None:
                 return super().get_object()
         return super().get_object()
 
+    def perform_create(self, serializer):
+        serializer.save(
+            owner=self.request.user
+            if self.request and self.request.user and self.request.user.is_authenticated
+            else None
+        )
+
     def create(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
         create_response = super().create(request, *args, **kwargs)
         project = self.get_queryset().model.objects.get(slug=create_response.data["slug"])