diff --git a/awx/main/access.py b/awx/main/access.py
index ad40a3dafe..f2a00a6417 100644
--- a/awx/main/access.py
+++ b/awx/main/access.py
@@ -1048,10 +1048,6 @@ class JobTemplateAccess(BaseAccess):
         return qs.select_related('created_by', 'modified_by', 'inventory', 'project',
                                  'credential', 'cloud_credential', 'next_schedule').all()
 
-    @check_superuser
-    def can_read(self, obj):
-        return self.user in obj.read_role
-
     def can_add(self, data):
         '''
         a user can create a job template if they are a superuser, an org admin
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/functional/test_rbac_job_templates.py b/awx/main/tests/functional/test_rbac_job_templates.py
index 13e0da8e8c..f3868daeb7 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/functional/test_rbac_job_templates.py
+++ b/awx/main/tests/functional/test_rbac_job_templates.py
@@ -226,6 +226,14 @@ def test_job_template_access_org_admin(jt_objects, rando):
     assert access.can_delete(jt_objects.job_template)
 
 
+@pytest.mark.django_db
+def test_orphan_JT_readable_by_system_auditor(job_template, system_auditor):
+    assert system_auditor.is_system_auditor
+    assert job_template.project is None
+    access = JobTemplateAccess(system_auditor)
+    assert access.can_read(job_template)
+
+
 @pytest.mark.django_db
 @pytest.mark.job_permissions
 def test_job_template_creator_access(project, rando, post):