diff --git a/python/pyspark/mllib/util.py b/python/pyspark/mllib/util.py
index d7ab4edc0fcfc..bb3eb7ed0bbc6 100644
--- a/python/pyspark/mllib/util.py
+++ b/python/pyspark/mllib/util.py
@@ -177,9 +177,9 @@ def appendBias(data):
         """
         vec = _convert_to_vector(data)
         if isinstance(vec, SparseVector):
-            entries = dict(zip(vec.indices, vec.values))
-            entries[len(vec)] = 1.0
-            return SparseVector(len(vec) + 1, entries)
+            newIndices = np.append(vec.indices, len(vec))
+            newValues = np.append(vec.values, 1.0)
+            return SparseVector(len(vec) + 1, newIndices, newValues)
         else:
             return _convert_to_vector(np.append(vec.toArray(), 1.0))