diff --git a/check_bugowner.py b/check_bugowner.py
index e33d5fcd..7651346f 100755
--- a/check_bugowner.py
+++ b/check_bugowner.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class CheckerBugowner(ReviewBot.ReviewBot):
             if matched_package and matched_package != target_package:
                 continue
             if not self.valid_maintainer(matched_maintainer):
-                self.review_messages['declined'] = f"\n{matched_maintainer} could not be found on this instance."
+                self.review_messages['declined'] += f"\n{matched_maintainer} could not be found on this instance."
                 return False
             return True
         self.review_messages['declined'] += f"\n{target_package } appears to be a new package and " + \
diff --git a/tests/check_bugowner_tests.py b/tests/check_bugowner_tests.py
index b4b474c5..b4589994 100644
--- a/tests/check_bugowner_tests.py
+++ b/tests/check_bugowner_tests.py
@@ -80,3 +80,17 @@ class TestCheckBugowner(OBSLocal.TestCase):
         self.review_bot.check_requests()
 
         self.assertReview(req_id, by_user=(self.bot_user, 'accepted'))
+
+    @pytest.mark.usefixtures("default_config")
+    def test_valid_bugowner_group(self):
+        """Accept request with valid group maintainer"""
+        self.wf.create_group('coldpool')
+        req_id = self.wf.create_submit_request(
+            'devel:wine', 'merlot', description="This is a cool new package\nbugowner: group:coldpool").reqid
+
+        self.assertReview(req_id, by_user=(self.bot_user, 'new'))
+
+        self.review_bot.set_request_ids([req_id])
+        self.review_bot.check_requests()
+
+        self.assertReview(req_id, by_user=(self.bot_user, 'accepted'))