diff --git a/pulp_deb/app/serializers/content_serializers.py b/pulp_deb/app/serializers/content_serializers.py
index f119138da..fc9f9c299 100644
--- a/pulp_deb/app/serializers/content_serializers.py
+++ b/pulp_deb/app/serializers/content_serializers.py
@@ -763,6 +763,12 @@ class ReleaseComponentSerializer(NoArtifactContentSerializer):
     A Serializer for ReleaseComponent.
     """
 
+    def retrieve(self, validated_data):
+        return ReleaseComponent.objects.filter(
+            distribution=validated_data["distribution"],
+            component=validated_data["component"],
+        ).first()
+
     component = CharField(help_text="Name of the component.")
     distribution = CharField(help_text="Name of the distribution.")