diff --git a/services/web/server/src/simcore_service_webserver/projects/projects_service.py b/services/web/server/src/simcore_service_webserver/projects/projects_service.py
index 46fb9b8d0e7..c29ffb62785 100644
--- a/services/web/server/src/simcore_service_webserver/projects/projects_service.py
+++ b/services/web/server/src/simcore_service_webserver/projects/projects_service.py
@@ -1355,7 +1355,7 @@ async def _open_project() -> bool:
                             for uuid in await user_session.find_all_resources_of_user(
                                 PROJECT_ID_KEY
                             )
-                            if uuid != project_uuid
+                            if uuid != f"{project_uuid}"
                         }
                     )
                     >= max_number_of_studies_per_user