diff --git a/api/base/authentication/backends.py b/api/base/authentication/backends.py
index 1f6adedbb338..b2766b094a76 100644
--- a/api/base/authentication/backends.py
+++ b/api/base/authentication/backends.py
@@ -2,11 +2,12 @@
 from framework.auth.core import get_user
 from django.contrib.auth.backends import ModelBackend
 
-# https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/1.8/topics/auth/customizing/
+
+# https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/3.2/topics/auth/customizing/
 class ODMBackend(ModelBackend):
 
-    def authenticate(self, request, username=None, password=None, email=None):
-        return get_user(email=email or username, password=password) or None
+    def authenticate(self, request, username=None, password=None, **kwargs):
+        return get_user(email=username, password=password) or None
 
     def get_user(self, user_id):
         try: