diff --git a/openpype/hosts/aftereffects/api/pipeline.py b/openpype/hosts/aftereffects/api/pipeline.py
index 550ff25886..4ae88e649a 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/aftereffects/api/pipeline.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/aftereffects/api/pipeline.py
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ def remove_instance(instance):
     if not stub:
         return
 
-    inst_id = instance.get("instance_id")
+    inst_id = instance.get("instance_id") or instance.get("uuid")  # legacy
     if not inst_id:
         log.warning("No instance identifier for {}".format(instance))
         return
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/aftereffects/api/ws_stub.py b/openpype/hosts/aftereffects/api/ws_stub.py
index 18852d3d6c..1d3b69e038 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/aftereffects/api/ws_stub.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/aftereffects/api/ws_stub.py
@@ -321,7 +321,8 @@ class AfterEffectsServerStub():
         cleaned_data = []
 
         for instance in self.get_metadata():
-            if instance.get("instance_id") != instance_id:
+            inst_id = instance.get("instance_id") or instance.get("uuid")
+            if inst_id != instance_id:
                 cleaned_data.append(instance)
 
         payload = json.dumps(cleaned_data, indent=4)