diff --git a/generic/views.py b/generic/views.py
index 05dfc9e5..2c11d996 100644
--- a/generic/views.py
+++ b/generic/views.py
@@ -2329,6 +2329,12 @@ class ExamCloneMixin:
         questions = old_object.exam_questions.all().values_list("id", flat=True)
         authors = old_object.author.all().values_list("id", flat=True)
 
+        # clear the associated groups
+        initial_data["valid_user_users"] = []
+        initial_data["valid_cid_users"] = []
+        initial_data["cid_user_groups"] = []
+        initial_data["user_user_groups"] = []
+
         self.exam_questions = list(questions)
         self.author = list(authors)