diff --git a/set_project_watches.py b/set_project_watches.py
index 7ddd435b..34f75f97 100644
--- a/set_project_watches.py
+++ b/set_project_watches.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ for (group_name, group_id) in cur.fetchall():
                 groups_todo.append(row[0])
     for current_group in total_groups:
         cur.execute("""insert into account_project_watches
-                     select "Y", "N", "N", g.account_id, %s, ""
+                     select "Y", "N", "N", g.account_id, %s, "*"
                        from account_group_members g
                       where g.group_id = %s and g.account_id not in
                        (select w.account_id from
diff --git a/update_gerrit_users.py b/update_gerrit_users.py
index eef81eb4..3fdb4f41 100644
--- a/update_gerrit_users.py
+++ b/update_gerrit_users.py
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ for (username, user_details) in users.items():
         if os_project_name in projects:
           for current_group in group_implies_groups[group_ids[group]]:
               cur.execute("""insert into account_project_watches
-                           select "Y", "N", "N", g.account_id, %s, ""
+                           select "Y", "N", "N", g.account_id, %s, "*"
                              from account_group_members g
                             where g.group_id = %s and g.account_id not in
                              (select w.account_id from