diff --git a/awx/main/fields.py b/awx/main/fields.py
index e336b03216..79cb189fc8 100644
--- a/awx/main/fields.py
+++ b/awx/main/fields.py
@@ -199,16 +199,17 @@ class ImplicitRoleField(models.ForeignKey):
                 if '.' in field_attr:
                     raise Exception('Referencing deep roles through ManyToMany fields is unsupported.')
 
-                reverse = type(field) is ReverseManyRelatedObjectsDescriptor
-                if reverse:
-                    m2m_changed.connect(self.m2m_update(field_attr, reverse), field.through, weak=False)
+                if type(field) is ReverseManyRelatedObjectsDescriptor:
+                    sender = field.through
                 else:
-                    m2m_changed.connect(self.m2m_update(field_attr, reverse), field.related.through, weak=False)
+                    sender = field.related.through
 
-    def m2m_update(self, field_attr, _reverse):
-        def _m2m_update(instance, action, model, pk_set, **kwargs):
+                m2m_changed.connect(self.m2m_update(field_attr), sender, weak=False)
+
+    def m2m_update(self, field_attr):
+        def _m2m_update(instance, action, model, pk_set, reverse, **kwargs):
             if action == 'post_add' or action == 'pre_remove':
-                if _reverse:
+                if reverse:
                     for pk in pk_set:
                         obj = model.objects.get(pk=pk)
                         if action == 'post_add':