diff --git a/server/datastore/mysql/invites.go b/server/datastore/mysql/invites.go
index 2e0557833d..301c7cfecb 100644
--- a/server/datastore/mysql/invites.go
+++ b/server/datastore/mysql/invites.go
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ func (d *Datastore) NewInvite(i *kolide.Invite) (*kolide.Invite, error) {
 	i.ID = uint(id)
 
 	if len(i.Teams) == 0 {
+		i.Teams = []kolide.UserTeam{}
 		return i, nil
 	}
 
diff --git a/server/kolide/invites.go b/server/kolide/invites.go
index b2f9b4c3c5..04891dedcc 100644
--- a/server/kolide/invites.go
+++ b/server/kolide/invites.go
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ type InvitePayload struct {
 	Position   *string
 	SSOEnabled *bool       `json:"sso_enabled"`
 	GlobalRole null.String `json:"global_role"`
-	Teams      []UserTeam  `json:"teams,omitempty"`
+	Teams      []UserTeam  `json:"teams"`
 }
 
 // Invite represents an invitation for a user to join Fleet.
diff --git a/server/service/service_invites.go b/server/service/service_invites.go
index 1f14c8a12d..780633003f 100644
--- a/server/service/service_invites.go
+++ b/server/service/service_invites.go
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ func (svc service) InviteNewUser(ctx context.Context, payload kolide.InvitePaylo
 		InvitedBy:  inviter.ID,
 		Token:      token,
 		GlobalRole: payload.GlobalRole,
+		Teams:      payload.Teams,
 	}
 	if payload.Position != nil {
 		invite.Position = *payload.Position