diff --git a/planetstack/core/models/slice.py b/planetstack/core/models/slice.py
index 46c22b3..bb06e6b 100644
--- a/planetstack/core/models/slice.py
+++ b/planetstack/core/models/slice.py
@@ -67,7 +67,14 @@
         # only admins change a slice's creator
         if 'creator' in self.changed_fields and \
             (not hasattr(self, 'caller') or not self.caller.is_admin):
-            raise PermissionDenied("Insufficient privileges to change slice creator")
+
+            if (self._initial["creator"]==None): # and (self.creator==self.caller):
+                # it's okay if the creator is being set by the caller to
+                # himeself on a new slice object.
+                #   TODO: self.caller is None when called from slicePlus REST API
+                pass
+            else:
+                raise PermissionDenied("Insufficient privileges to change slice creator")
         
         if not self.creator:
             raise ValidationError('slice has no creator')