diff --git a/catalogedit/views.py b/catalogedit/views.py
index e618681..7e50519 100644
--- a/catalogedit/views.py
+++ b/catalogedit/views.py
@@ -53,8 +53,16 @@ def save_catalog(request):
     id = data.get('id')
 
     if id:
-        log.debug('saving existing catalog, id {}'.format(id))
-        cat = get_object_or_404(Catalog, id=id, owner=request.user)
+        try:
+            cat = Catalog.objects.get(id=id)
+
+            if cat.owner == request.user:
+                log.debug('saving existing catalog, id {}'.format(id))
+            else:
+                log.debug('copying public catalog, id {}'.format(id))
+                cat = Catalog(owner=request.user, season=cat.season, region=cat.region)
+        except ObjectDoesNotExist:
+            raise Http404("Catalog not found")
     else:
         season = Season.objects.get(id=data.get('season'))
         region = Region.objects.get(id=data.get('region'))