diff --git a/lib/booki/channels/editor.py b/lib/booki/channels/editor.py
index 2e7b22577..592136c79 100644
--- a/lib/booki/channels/editor.py
+++ b/lib/booki/channels/editor.py
@@ -2975,12 +2975,17 @@ def remote_publish_book2(request, message, bookid, version):
                 'GPL': 'GPL'
         }
 
+    licenseText = 'CC-BY'
+
+    if book.license:
+        licenseText = licenses.get(book.license.abbrevation, 'GPL')
+
     publishMode = publishOptions[message.get("publish_mode", "epub")]
 
     destination = "nowhere"
 
     args = {'book': book.url_title.encode('utf8'),
-            'license': licenses.get(book.license.abbrevation, 'GPL'),
+            'license': licenseText,
             'project': 'export',
             'mode': publishMode,
             'server': THIS_BOOKI_SERVER,