diff --git a/orcid-core/src/main/java/org/orcid/core/utils/v3/SourceUtils.java b/orcid-core/src/main/java/org/orcid/core/utils/v3/SourceUtils.java
index a2eeb5af8f1..04f10cac2bc 100644
--- a/orcid-core/src/main/java/org/orcid/core/utils/v3/SourceUtils.java
+++ b/orcid-core/src/main/java/org/orcid/core/utils/v3/SourceUtils.java
@@ -311,9 +311,12 @@ public void setSourceName(ResearchResources rr) {
     
     public static boolean isSelfAsserted(Source source, String orcid) {
         String sourceId = source.retrieveSourcePath();
-        String assertionOriginSourceId = source.retrieveAssertionOriginPath();
+        String assertionOriginOrcid = null;
+        if (source.getAssertionOriginOrcid() != null && source.getAssertionOriginOrcid().getPath() != null) {
+            assertionOriginOrcid = source.getAssertionOriginOrcid().getPath();
+        }
         // If the affiliation source is the user himself or any member with OBO, then, it is considered self asserted
-        if(orcid.equals(sourceId) || orcid.equals(assertionOriginSourceId)) {
+        if(orcid.equals(sourceId) || orcid.equals(assertionOriginOrcid)) {
             return false;
         } else {
             return true;