diff --git a/client/modules/IDE/actions/project.js b/client/modules/IDE/actions/project.js
index 2f17bf1a..385e55c8 100644
--- a/client/modules/IDE/actions/project.js
+++ b/client/modules/IDE/actions/project.js
@@ -107,10 +107,16 @@ export function saveProject(autosave = false) {
             }
           }
         })
-        .catch(response => dispatch({
-          type: ActionTypes.PROJECT_SAVE_FAIL,
-          error: response.data
-        }));
+        .catch(response => {
+          if (response.status === 403) {
+            dispatch(showAuthenticationError());
+          } else {
+            dispatch({
+              type: ActionTypes.PROJECT_SAVE_FAIL,
+              error: response.data
+            });
+          }
+        });
     }
   };
 }
diff --git a/client/modules/IDE/actions/projects.js b/client/modules/IDE/actions/projects.js
index 2b613dc9..43892453 100644
--- a/client/modules/IDE/actions/projects.js
+++ b/client/modules/IDE/actions/projects.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import * as ActionTypes from '../../../constants';
 import axios from 'axios';
+import { showAuthenticationError } from './ide';
 
 const ROOT_URL = location.href.indexOf('localhost') > 0 ? 'http://localhost:8000/api' : '/api';
 
@@ -33,6 +34,16 @@ export function deleteProject(id) {
           type: ActionTypes.DELETE_PROJECT,
           id
         });
+      })
+      .catch(response => {
+        if (response.status === 403) {
+          dispatch(showAuthenticationError());
+        } else {
+          dispatch({
+            type: ActionTypes.ERROR,
+            error: response.data
+          });
+        }
       });
   };
 }
diff --git a/server/controllers/project.controller.js b/server/controllers/project.controller.js
index 0f75ee3c..db401e41 100644
--- a/server/controllers/project.controller.js
+++ b/server/controllers/project.controller.js
@@ -5,8 +5,12 @@ import request from 'request';
 
 
 export function createProject(req, res) {
+  if (!req.user) {
+    return res.status(403).send({ success: false, message: 'Session does not match owner of project.'});
+  }
+
   let projectValues = {
-    user: req.user ? req.user._id : undefined // eslint-disable-line no-underscore-dangle
+    user: req.user._id
   };
 
   projectValues = Object.assign(projectValues, req.body);