diff --git a/plugins/kolab_addressbook/lib/rcube_kolab_contacts.php b/plugins/kolab_addressbook/lib/rcube_kolab_contacts.php
index 674f8595..bc209704 100644
--- a/plugins/kolab_addressbook/lib/rcube_kolab_contacts.php
+++ b/plugins/kolab_addressbook/lib/rcube_kolab_contacts.php
@@ -1203,6 +1203,9 @@ class rcube_kolab_contacts extends rcube_addressbook
 
         $contact['address'] = $addresses;
 
+        // categories are not supported in the web client but should be preserved (#2608)
+        $contact['categories'] = $old['categories'];
+
         // copy meta data (starting with _) from old object
         foreach ((array)$old as $key => $val) {
             if (!isset($contact[$key]) && $key[0] == '_')