diff --git a/api/placer.py b/api/placer.py
index b0e5e8c03..04c6c2e7f 100644
--- a/api/placer.py
+++ b/api/placer.py
@@ -295,6 +295,8 @@ def process_file_field(self, field, file_attrs):
             if not job_ticket['success']:
                 file_attrs['from_failed_job'] = True
 
+        file_attrs['name'] = file_attrs['name'].replace(':', '/')
+
         self.save_file(field, file_attrs)
         self.saved.append(file_attrs)
 
@@ -314,7 +316,7 @@ def finalize(self):
             file_mds = self.metadata.get(self.container_type, {}).get('files', [])
             saved_file_names = [x.get('name') for x in self.saved]
             for file_md in file_mds:
-                if file_md['name'] not in saved_file_names:
+                if file_md['name'].replace(':', '/') not in saved_file_names:
                     self.save_file(None, file_md) # save file_attrs update only
                     self.saved.append(file_md)
 
diff --git a/tests/integration_tests/python/test_uploads.py b/tests/integration_tests/python/test_uploads.py
index d97fa8b8b..9da192c33 100644
--- a/tests/integration_tests/python/test_uploads.py
+++ b/tests/integration_tests/python/test_uploads.py
@@ -701,10 +701,23 @@ def test_acquisition_engine_upload(data_builder, file_form, as_root):
     )
     assert r.status_code == 404
 
+    metadata['acquisition']['files'] = [
+        {
+            'name': 'one.csv',
+            'type': 'engine type 0',
+            'info': {'test': 'f0'}
+        },
+        {
+            'name': 'folder:two.csv',
+            'type': 'engine type 1',
+            'info': {'test': 'f1'}
+        }
+    ]
+
     # engine upload
     r = as_root.post('/engine',
         params={'level': 'acquisition', 'id': acquisition, 'job': job},
-        files=file_form('one.csv', 'two.csv', meta=metadata)
+        files=file_form('one.csv', 'folder:two.csv', meta=metadata)
     )
     assert r.ok
 
@@ -734,7 +747,7 @@ def test_acquisition_engine_upload(data_builder, file_form, as_root):
     assert a_timestamp == m_timestamp
 
     for mf in metadata['acquisition']['files']:
-        f = find_file_in_array(mf['name'], a['files'])
+        f = find_file_in_array(mf['name'].replace(':', '/'), a['files'])
         assert mf is not None
         assert f['type'] == mf['type']
         assert f['info'] == mf['info']