diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index d1d2010e0..a67dcea59 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/).
 
 ### Fixed
 - Clowder will no longer offer a Download button for a file until it has been PROCESSED.
+- When space created through api the creator was not added to space as admin [#179](https://github.com/clowder-framework/clowder/issues/179).
 
 ### Changed
 - `/api/me` will now return some of the same information as response headers.
diff --git a/app/api/Spaces.scala b/app/api/Spaces.scala
index 3db81f577..f51b49df8 100644
--- a/app/api/Spaces.scala
+++ b/app/api/Spaces.scala
@@ -1,23 +1,18 @@
 package api
 
-import java.util.Date
-import javax.inject.Inject
 import api.Permission.Permission
+import controllers.Utils
 import models._
 import play.api.Logger
-import controllers.Utils
 import play.api.Play._
-import play.api.libs.json.Json
-import play.api.libs.json.Json._
-import play.api.libs.json.Json.toJson
+import play.api.i18n.Messages
+import play.api.libs.json.{JsError, JsResult, JsSuccess, Json}
+import play.api.libs.json.Json.{toJson, _}
 import services._
 import util.Mail
-import play.api.libs.json.JsResult
-import play.api.libs.json.JsSuccess
-import play.api.libs.json.JsError
-import play.api.i18n.Messages
 
-import scala.util.Try
+import java.util.Date
+import javax.inject.Inject
 
 /**
  * Spaces allow users to partition the data into realms only accessible to users with the right permissions.
@@ -51,6 +46,13 @@ class Spaces @Inject()(spaces: SpaceService,
           case Some(id) => {
             appConfig.incrementCount('spaces, 1)
             events.addObjectEvent(request.user, c.id, c.name, "create_space")
+            userService.findRoleByName("Admin") match {
+              case Some(realRole) => {
+                spaces.addUser(userId, realRole, UUID(id))
+              }
+              case None => Logger.info("No admin role found")
+
+            }
             Ok(toJson(Map("id" -> id)))
           }
           case None => Ok(toJson(Map("status" -> "error")))