diff --git a/gns3server/controller/node.py b/gns3server/controller/node.py
index 87e9f892..321cdfaf 100644
--- a/gns3server/controller/node.py
+++ b/gns3server/controller/node.py
@@ -86,8 +86,7 @@ class Node:
         self._first_port_name = None
 
         # This properties will be recompute
-        ignore_properties = ("width", "height")
-
+        ignore_properties = ("width", "height", "hover_symbol")
         self.properties = kwargs.pop('properties', {})
 
         # Update node properties with additional elements
@@ -104,7 +103,15 @@ class Node:
                         self.properties[prop] = kwargs[prop]
 
         if self._symbol is None:
-            self.symbol = ":/symbols/computer.svg"
+            # compatibility with old node templates
+            if "default_symbol" in self.properties:
+                default_symbol = self.properties.pop("default_symbol")
+                if default_symbol.endswith("normal.svg"):
+                    self.symbol = default_symbol[:-11] + ".svg"
+                else:
+                    self.symbol = default_symbol
+            else:
+                self.symbol = ":/symbols/router.svg"
 
     def is_always_running(self):
         """
diff --git a/gns3server/controller/project.py b/gns3server/controller/project.py
index 6c99431b..e67372a5 100644
--- a/gns3server/controller/project.py
+++ b/gns3server/controller/project.py
@@ -434,11 +434,11 @@ class Project:
         :param dump: Dump topology to disk
         :param kwargs: See the documentation of node
         """
+
         if node_id in self._nodes:
             return self._nodes[node_id]
 
         if node_type == "iou" and 'application_id' not in kwargs.keys():
-
             kwargs['application_id'] = get_next_application_id(self._nodes.values())
 
         node = Node(self, compute, name, node_id=node_id, node_type=node_type, **kwargs)