diff --git a/apps/backend/src/publishHandler.ts b/apps/backend/src/publishHandler.ts
index 76bad9fde..d8582b466 100644
--- a/apps/backend/src/publishHandler.ts
+++ b/apps/backend/src/publishHandler.ts
@@ -418,7 +418,8 @@ export const publishHandler: RouteHandler<{
           },
           author: {
             username,
-            name: `${firstName ?? ""} ${lastName ?? ""}`.trim() || null,
+            firstName: firstName ?? null,
+            lastName: lastName ?? null,
             email:
               emailAddresses.find((e) => e.id === primaryEmailAddressId)
                 ?.emailAddress ?? null,