diff --git a/app/models/ci/runner.rb b/app/models/ci/runner.rb
index ac9f04bb3d4..5cec88660f8 100644
--- a/app/models/ci/runner.rb
+++ b/app/models/ci/runner.rb
@@ -120,8 +120,9 @@ module Ci
         raise ArgumentError, 'Transitioning a group runner to a project runner is not supported'
       end
 
-      self.projects << project
+      runner_project = project.runner_projects.create(runner_id: self.id)
       self.save!
+      runner_project
     end
 
     def display_name