diff --git a/li.strolch.agent/src/main/java/li/strolch/persistence/api/AbstractTransaction.java b/li.strolch.agent/src/main/java/li/strolch/persistence/api/AbstractTransaction.java
index 75502d7eb..b60292020 100644
--- a/li.strolch.agent/src/main/java/li/strolch/persistence/api/AbstractTransaction.java
+++ b/li.strolch.agent/src/main/java/li/strolch/persistence/api/AbstractTransaction.java
@@ -292,7 +292,8 @@ public abstract class AbstractTransaction implements StrolchTransaction {
 
 	@Override
 	public void lock(Locator locator) throws StrolchLockException {
-		this.realm.lock(locator.trim(3));
+		locator = locator.trim(3);
+		this.realm.lock(locator);
 		this.lockedElements.add(locator);
 	}