diff --git a/submissions/views.py b/submissions/views.py
index 7d54e68dd9ecff81d84478413d99eda70cad92af..74f2761688df8e042d0d1594a158dd6060cc2316 100644
--- a/submissions/views.py
+++ b/submissions/views.py
@@ -866,7 +866,7 @@ def decline_ref_invitation(request, invitation_key):
         invitation.submission.add_event_for_author('A referee has declined the'
                                                    ' refereeing invitation.')
         invitation.submission.add_event_for_eic('Referee %s has declined the refereeing '
-                                                'invitation.' % invitation.referee.user.last_name)
+                                                'invitation.' % invitation.last_name)
 
         messages.success(request, 'Thank you for informing us that you will not provide a Report.')
         return redirect(reverse('scipost:index'))