diff --git a/html/inc/submit_util.inc b/html/inc/submit_util.inc
index b8ca9740e1..4f36156df6 100644
--- a/html/inc/submit_util.inc
+++ b/html/inc/submit_util.inc
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ function abort_batch($batch) {
     foreach ($wus as $wu) {
         abort_workunit($wu);
     }
-    $batch->update("state=".BATCH_STATE_ABORTED);
+    $batch->update("project_state=".BATCH_STATE_ABORTED);
     return 0;
 }
 
@@ -143,13 +143,13 @@ function retire_batch($batch) {
             "assimilate_state=".ASSIMILATE_DONE.", transition_time=$now"
         );
     }
-    $batch->update("state=".BATCH_STATE_RETIRED);
+    $batch->update("project_state=".BATCH_STATE_RETIRED);
 }
 
 function expire_batch($batch) {
     abort_batch($batch);
     retire_batch($batch);
-    $batch->update("state=".BATCH_STATE_EXPIRED);
+    $batch->update("project_state=".BATCH_STATE_EXPIRED);
 }
 
 function batch_state_string($state) {