diff --git a/src/submission/models.py b/src/submission/models.py
index 26653f2ae6..7aee28ac40 100755
--- a/src/submission/models.py
+++ b/src/submission/models.py
@@ -1680,14 +1680,8 @@ def workflow_stages(self):
         return core_models.WorkflowLog.objects.filter(article=self)
 
     def distinct_workflow_elements(self):
-        workflow_element_ids = core_models.WorkflowLog.objects.filter(
-            article=self,
-        ).values_list(
-            'element'
-        ).distinct()
-
         return core_models.WorkflowElement.objects.filter(
-            pk__in=[element_id[0] for element_id in workflow_element_ids]
+            pk__in=self.workflowlog_set.values_list("element").distinct()
         )
 
     @property