diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/book/edit/edit_book_form.html b/bookwyrm/templates/book/edit/edit_book_form.html
index e2d7121f..8fcc07fe 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/book/edit/edit_book_form.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/book/edit/edit_book_form.html
@@ -126,10 +126,9 @@
             <div class="box">
                 {% if book.authors.exists %}
                 {# preserve authors if the book is unsaved #}
-                {{ form.authors.as_hidden }}
+                <input type="hidden" name="authors" value="{% for author in book.authors %}{{ author.id }},{% endfor %}">
                 <fieldset>
                     {% for author in book.authors.all %}
-                    {{ form.authors.as_hidden }}
                     <div class="is-flex is-justify-content-space-between">
                         <label class="label mb-2">
                             <input type="checkbox" name="remove_authors" value="{{ author.id }}" {% if author.id|stringformat:"i" in remove_authors %}checked{% endif %} aria-describedby="desc_remove_author_{{author.id}}">
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/books/edit_book.py b/bookwyrm/views/books/edit_book.py
index bef2fbb3..16d9d78e 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/books/edit_book.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/books/edit_book.py
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ class CreateBook(View):
             data["form"].data = formcopy
             return TemplateResponse(request, "book/edit/edit_book.html", data)
 
-        book = form.save(commit=False)
+        book = form.save()
         parent_work = get_object_or_404(models.Work, id=parent_work_id)
         book.parent_work = parent_work