diff --git a/nodes/viz/viewer_bmesh.py b/nodes/viz/viewer_bmesh.py
index 6b886902137e1cedab029ce54893ad951cedf609..d319d6d2e952ee7d62354db9d3cd9132574b3a2f 100644
--- a/nodes/viz/viewer_bmesh.py
+++ b/nodes/viz/viewer_bmesh.py
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ class SvBmeshViewerNodeV28(bpy.types.Node, SverchCustomTreeNode, SvObjHelper):
         row = layout.row(align=True)
         # row.alert = warning
         row.prop(self, 'basedata_name', text='')
-        row.prop_search(self, 'material', bpy.data, 'materials', text='', icon='MATERIAL_DATA')
+        row.prop_search(self, 'material_pointer', bpy.data, 'materials', text='', icon='MATERIAL_DATA')
         #row.operator('node.sv_callback_bmesh_viewer',text='',icon='RESTRICT_SELECT_OFF')
 
     def get_geometry_from_sockets(self):
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ class SvBmeshViewerNodeV28(bpy.types.Node, SverchCustomTreeNode, SvObjHelper):
                 self.to_collection(objs)
 
             # truthy if self.material is in .materials
-            if bpy.data.materials.get(self.material):
+            if self.material_pointer:
                 self.set_corresponding_materials()
 
             self.set_autosmooth(objs)
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ class SvBmeshViewerNodeV28(bpy.types.Node, SverchCustomTreeNode, SvObjHelper):
         mat.use_fake_user = True
 
         nodes = mat.node_tree.nodes
-        self.material = mat.name
+        self.material_pointer = mat
 
         if bpy.context.scene.render.engine == 'CYCLES':
             # add attr node to the left of diffuse BSDF + connect it
diff --git a/utils/sv_obj_helper.py b/utils/sv_obj_helper.py
index 625f21b435375d6c3f6ba9b003e036a8e85e4143..5c1c3607ad4d41a51d7e9a709fdb5ec49903ae98 100644
--- a/utils/sv_obj_helper.py
+++ b/utils/sv_obj_helper.py
@@ -245,8 +245,11 @@ class SvObjHelper():
     # most importantly, what kind of base data are we making?
     data_kind: StringProperty(name='data kind', default='MESH')
 
+    properties_to_skip_iojson = ['material_pointer']
     # to be used if the node has no material input.
-    material: StringProperty(name='material', default='', update=updateNode)
+    material: StringProperty(name='material', default='')
+    material_pointer: bpy.props.PointerProperty(
+        type=bpy.types.Material, poll=lambda s, o: True, update=updateNode)
 
     # to be used as standard toggles for object attributes of same name
     object_hide_viewport: BoolProperty(name='object hide viewport', default=True)
@@ -305,7 +308,7 @@ class SvObjHelper():
 
             row = col.row(align=True)
             row.scale_y = 1
-            row.prop_search(self, 'material', bpy.data, 'materials', text='', icon='MATERIAL_DATA')
+            row.prop_search(self, 'material_pointer', bpy.data, 'materials', text='', icon='MATERIAL_DATA')
             tracked_operator(self, row, fn_name='add_material', icon="ZOOM_IN")
 
     def draw_ext_object_buttons(self, context, layout):
@@ -315,9 +318,9 @@ class SvObjHelper():
         tracked_operator(self, row, fn_name='add_material', text='+Material', icon="ZOOM_IN")
 
     def set_corresponding_materials(self):
-        if bpy.data.materials.get(self.material.strip()):
+        if self.material_pointer:
             for obj in self.get_children():
-                obj.active_material = bpy.data.materials[self.material.strip()]
+                obj.active_material = self.material_pointer
 
     def remove_non_updated_objects(self, obj_index):
         objs = self.get_children()