diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Protocol/CSW/v2_0_2.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Protocol/CSW/v2_0_2.js
index b701966653..f1cbb10da1 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Protocol/CSW/v2_0_2.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Protocol/CSW/v2_0_2.js
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ OpenLayers.Protocol.CSW.v2_0_2 = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Protocol, {
         OpenLayers.Util.applyDefaults(options, this.options || {});
         var response = new OpenLayers.Protocol.Response({requestType: "read"});
 
-        var data = this.format.write(options.params);
+        var data = this.format.write(options.params || options);
 
         response.priv = OpenLayers.Request.POST({
             url: options.url,