diff --git a/awx/api/permissions.py b/awx/api/permissions.py
index a951928626..bd6328495b 100644
--- a/awx/api/permissions.py
+++ b/awx/api/permissions.py
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ class IsSystemAdminOrAuditor(permissions.BasePermission):
     """
 
     def has_permission(self, request, view):
-        if not request.user:
+        if not (request.user and request.user.is_authenticated):
             return False
         if request.method == 'GET':
             return request.user.is_superuser or request.user.is_system_auditor