diff --git a/backend/tests/admin/test_api.py b/backend/tests/admin/test_api.py
index b35743bb..23aa9ac6 100644
--- a/backend/tests/admin/test_api.py
+++ b/backend/tests/admin/test_api.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class TestAdminAPI(BaseProposalCreatorConfig):
     def test_approve_proposal(self):
         self.login_admin()
         # submit for approval (performed by end-user)
-        self.proposal.submit_for_approval()
+        self.proposal.submit_for_approval(self.user)
         # approve
         resp = self.app.put(
             "/api/v1/admin/proposals/{}/approve".format(self.proposal.id),
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ class TestAdminAPI(BaseProposalCreatorConfig):
     def test_reject_proposal(self):
         self.login_admin()
         # submit for approval (performed by end-user)
-        self.proposal.submit_for_approval()
+        self.proposal.submit_for_approval(self.user)
         # reject
         resp = self.app.put(
             "/api/v1/admin/proposals/{}/approve".format(self.proposal.id),
diff --git a/backend/tests/proposal/test_api.py b/backend/tests/proposal/test_api.py
index d4cd1d1a..ca4ef255 100644
--- a/backend/tests/proposal/test_api.py
+++ b/backend/tests/proposal/test_api.py
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class TestProposalAPI(BaseProposalCreatorConfig):
     def test_publish_proposal_approved(self):
         self.login_default_user()
         # submit for approval, then approve
-        self.proposal.submit_for_approval()
+        self.proposal.submit_for_approval(self.user)
         self.proposal.approve_pending(True)  # admin action
         resp = self.app.put("/api/v1/proposals/{}/publish".format(self.proposal.id))
         self.assert200(resp)