diff --git a/submissions/utils.py b/submissions/utils.py
index e22a298cdeaa791efb7b4539d80b8620abf39101..217c8dc06ba71bdce45b71fa3f872f6ca8ba1d27 100644
--- a/submissions/utils.py
+++ b/submissions/utils.py
@@ -586,8 +586,8 @@ class SubmissionUtils(object):
             '<p>Many thanks in advance,</p>'
             '<p>The SciPost Team</p>')
         email_context = Context({
-            'title': title_dict[cls.invitation.referee.title],
-            'last_name': cls.invitation.referee.user.last_name,
+            'title': title_dict[cls.invitation.title],
+            'last_name': cls.invitation.last_name,
             'EIC_title': title_dict[cls.invitation.submission.editor_in_charge.title],
             'EIC_last_name': cls.invitation.submission.editor_in_charge.user.last_name,
             'sub_title': cls.invitation.submission.title,