diff --git a/src/core/project/qgsproject.cpp b/src/core/project/qgsproject.cpp
index 0c2abe48078..61a7fcc50bc 100644
--- a/src/core/project/qgsproject.cpp
+++ b/src/core/project/qgsproject.cpp
@@ -3272,7 +3272,7 @@ bool QgsProject::writeProjectFile( const QString &filename )
   {
     mSaveUser.clear();
     mSaveUserFull.clear();
-    mMetadata.setAuthor( "" );
+    mMetadata.setAuthor( QString() );
     mMetadata.setCreationDateTime( QDateTime() );
     mSaveDateTime = QDateTime();
   }