diff --git a/addons/project/project.py b/addons/project/project.py
index 927ce38dd40..8f7f4dc3c2f 100644
--- a/addons/project/project.py
+++ b/addons/project/project.py
@@ -402,12 +402,11 @@ class task(osv.osv):
         values = {}
         if project_id:
             project = self.pool.get('project.project').browse(cr, uid, project_id, context=context)
-            if project and project.partner_id:
-                    values['partner_id'] = project.partner_id.id
-            values['stage_id'] = self.stage_find(cr, uid, [], project_id, [('fold', '=', False)], context=context)
+            if project.exists():
+                values['partner_id'] = project.partner_id.id
+                values['stage_id'] = self.stage_find(cr, uid, [], project_id, [('fold', '=', False)], context=context)
         else:
             values['stage_id'] = False
-            values['partner_id'] = False
         return {'value': values}
 
     def onchange_user_id(self, cr, uid, ids, user_id, context=None):