diff --git a/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/dbapi.py b/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/dbapi.py
index 50929a21da..c428b2de3b 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/dbapi.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/dbapi.py
@@ -667,9 +667,9 @@ def _commit_base(self, obj, obj_key, trans, change_time):
         self._update_backlinks(obj, trans)
         if not trans.batch:
             if old_data:
-                trans.add(obj_key, TXNUPD, obj.handle, old_data, obj.serialize())
+                trans.add(obj_key, TXNUPD, obj.handle, old_data, to_struct(obj))
             else:
-                trans.add(obj_key, TXNADD, obj.handle, None, obj.serialize())
+                trans.add(obj_key, TXNADD, obj.handle, None, to_struct(obj))
 
         return old_data