diff --git a/owl/admin.py b/owl/admin.py
index 4c2cd095852e23fbaab2588872ad4fd61f56c79c..61f0f5d7564e115cf9550fd6fe4085abd3089bce 100644
--- a/owl/admin.py
+++ b/owl/admin.py
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ def admin_topics(sident: str, cident: str):
                     flash('Deadlines changed.', 'info')
                     done = True
 
-            if batch_form.publish:
+            if batch_form.publish.data:
                 for t in selected_topics:
                     publish_topic(t)
                 if selected_topics: