diff --git a/lanelet2_examples/scripts/tutorial.py b/lanelet2_examples/scripts/tutorial.py
index 68aea514..d9ee2f38 100755
--- a/lanelet2_examples/scripts/tutorial.py
+++ b/lanelet2_examples/scripts/tutorial.py
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ def part4reading_and_writing():
     assert not write_errors
 
     ## 3. Write using the default spherical mercator projector at the giver origin
-    ## This was the default projection in Lanelet1
+    ## This was the default projection in Lanelet1. Use is not recommended.
     lanelet2.io.write(path, map, lanelet2.io.Origin(49, 8.4))
 
     ## 4. Write using the given projector and override the default values of the optional parameters for JOSM
@@ -193,6 +193,14 @@ def part4reading_and_writing():
     assert not load_errors
     assert loadedMap.laneletLayer.exists(lanelet.id)
 
+    ## GeocentricProjector: the origin is the centre of the Earth
+    gc_projector = GeocentricProjector()
+    write_errors = lanelet2.io.writeRobust(path, map, gc_projector)
+    assert not write_errors
+    loadedMap, load_errors = lanelet2.io.loadRobust(path, gc_projector)
+    assert not load_errors
+    assert loadedMap.laneletLayer.exists(lanelet.id)
+
 
 def part5traffic_rules():
     # this is just as you would expect
diff --git a/lanelet2_projection/include/lanelet2_projection/Geocentric.h b/lanelet2_projection/include/lanelet2_projection/Geocentric.h
index 33808e00..93737efb 100644
--- a/lanelet2_projection/include/lanelet2_projection/Geocentric.h
+++ b/lanelet2_projection/include/lanelet2_projection/Geocentric.h
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ namespace projection {
 
 class GeocentricProjector : public Projector {
  public:
+  // initialize the origin so that it's not the default one which causes
+  // IOHandler::handleDefaultProjector to throw an exception
+  GeocentricProjector() : Projector{Origin({90.0, 0.0, -6356752.3})} {}
   BasicPoint3d forward(const GPSPoint& gps) const override;
   GPSPoint reverse(const BasicPoint3d& enu) const override;
 };