diff --git a/privatemsg_rules/privatemsg_rules.rules.inc b/privatemsg_rules/privatemsg_rules.rules.inc
index 21a40e7..58712d5 100644
--- a/privatemsg_rules/privatemsg_rules.rules.inc
+++ b/privatemsg_rules/privatemsg_rules.rules.inc
@@ -382,6 +382,8 @@ function privatemsg_rules_rules_defaults() {
  */
 function privatemsg_rules_new($subject, $body, $recipient, $author) {
   rules_log(t('Writing new message with subject %subject to %user from %author', array('%subject' => $subject, '%user' => $recipient->name, '%author' => $author->name)));
+  // Enforce type user on recipient.
+  $recipient->type = 'user';
   $result = privatemsg_new_thread(array($recipient), $subject, $body, array('author' => $author));
   if ($result['success']) {
     rules_log(t('New message sucessfully sent, !link', array('!link' => l($subject, 'messages/view/' . $result['message']['thread_id']))));