diff --git a/federation/src/graphql/api/1_0/util/authenticateCommunity.ts b/federation/src/graphql/api/1_0/util/authenticateCommunity.ts
index 264d6fd1a..57a0d7fe5 100644
--- a/federation/src/graphql/api/1_0/util/authenticateCommunity.ts
+++ b/federation/src/graphql/api/1_0/util/authenticateCommunity.ts
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ export async function startAuthentication(
       // encrypt authenticationArgs.uuid with fedComB.publicJwtKey and sign it with homeCom.privateJwtKey
       const jwt = await encryptAndSign(authenticationArgs, homeComA!.privateJwtKey!, comB.publicJwtKey!)
       const args = new EncryptedTransferArgs()
-      args.publicKey = comB.publicKey.toString('hex')
+      args.publicKey = homeComA!.publicKey.toString('hex')
       args.jwt = jwt
       args.handshakeID = handshakeID
       logger.debug(`invoke authenticate() with:`, args)