diff --git a/crc/api/approval.py b/crc/api/approval.py
index db895176..cb3246e4 100644
--- a/crc/api/approval.py
+++ b/crc/api/approval.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import json
 from datetime import datetime
 
 from flask import g
@@ -33,13 +34,14 @@ def update_approval(approval_id, body):
     if approval_model is None:
         raise ApiError('unknown_approval', 'The approval "' + str(approval_id) + '" is not recognized.')
 
-    approval: Approval = ApprovalSchema().load(body)
     if approval_model.approver_uid != g.user.uid:
         raise ApiError("not_your_approval", "You may not modify this approval. It belongs to another user.")
 
-    approval.update_model(approval_model)
+    approval_model.status = body['status']
+    approval_model.message = body['message']
     approval_model.date_approved = datetime.now()
+    session.add(approval_model)
     session.commit()
 
-    result = ApprovalSchema().dump(approval)
+    result = ApprovalSchema().dump(approval_model)
     return result
diff --git a/crc/models/approval.py b/crc/models/approval.py
index 7f819bcb..d2597e5e 100644
--- a/crc/models/approval.py
+++ b/crc/models/approval.py
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ class Approval(object):
         instance.status = model.status
         instance.message = model.message
         instance.date_created = model.date_created
+        instance.date_approved = model.date_approved
         instance.version = model.version
         instance.title = ''
         instance.related_approvals = []
@@ -110,7 +111,7 @@ class ApprovalSchema(ma.Schema):
 
     approver = fields.Nested(LdapSchema, dump_only=True)
     primary_investigator = fields.Nested(LdapSchema, dump_only=True)
-    related_approvals = fields.List(fields.Nested('ApprovalSchema', dump_only=True))
+    related_approvals = fields.List(fields.Nested('ApprovalSchema', allow_none=True, dump_only=True))
 
     class Meta:
         model = Approval