diff --git a/data/registry_model/manifestbuilder.py b/data/registry_model/manifestbuilder.py
index ce8d6d95b..065093d72 100644
--- a/data/registry_model/manifestbuilder.py
+++ b/data/registry_model/manifestbuilder.py
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ class _ManifestBuilder(object):
       model.image.set_image_metadata(layer_id, namespace_name, repo_name,
                                      v1_metadata.get('created'),
                                      v1_metadata.get('comment'),
-                                     command, json.dumps(v1_metadata),
+                                     command, v1_metadata_string,
                                      parent=parent_image)
 
     # Save the changes to the builder.