diff --git a/jupyterhub/tests/test_api.py b/jupyterhub/tests/test_api.py
index b02f6fec..5123236d 100644
--- a/jupyterhub/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/jupyterhub/tests/test_api.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def test_auth_api(app):
     assert r.status_code == 404
 
     # make a new cookie token
-    user = db.query(orm.User).first()
+    user = find_user(db, 'admin')
     api_token = user.new_api_token()
 
     # check success: