diff --git a/protocols/netconf/ctl/src/main/java/org/onosproject/netconf/ctl/NetconfSessionImpl.java b/protocols/netconf/ctl/src/main/java/org/onosproject/netconf/ctl/NetconfSessionImpl.java
index e805dda..aef6942 100644
--- a/protocols/netconf/ctl/src/main/java/org/onosproject/netconf/ctl/NetconfSessionImpl.java
+++ b/protocols/netconf/ctl/src/main/java/org/onosproject/netconf/ctl/NetconfSessionImpl.java
@@ -441,7 +441,8 @@
                     + "</config>";
         }
         StringBuilder rpc = new StringBuilder(XML_HEADER);
-        rpc.append("<rpc>");
+        rpc.append(RPC_OPEN);
+        rpc.append(NETCONF_BASE_NAMESPACE).append(">\n");
         rpc.append("<copy-config>");
         rpc.append("<target>");
         rpc.append("<").append(targetConfiguration).append("/>");