diff --git a/src/services/ChallengeService.js b/src/services/ChallengeService.js
index d11390a3..ca0d2d9a 100644
--- a/src/services/ChallengeService.js
+++ b/src/services/ChallengeService.js
@@ -884,7 +884,7 @@ async function createChallenge(currentUser, challenge, userToken) {
   }
 
   /** Ensure project exists, and set direct project id, billing account id & markup */
-  if (challengeHelper.isProjectIdRequired(challenge.timelineTemplateId)) {
+  if (challengeHelper.isProjectIdRequired(challenge.timelineTemplateId) || challenge.projectId) {
     const { projectId } = challenge;
 
     const { directProjectId } = await projectHelper.getProject(projectId, currentUser);