diff --git a/jupyterhub/services/auth.py b/jupyterhub/services/auth.py
index ac3b09a3..93975eb1 100644
--- a/jupyterhub/services/auth.py
+++ b/jupyterhub/services/auth.py
@@ -1023,8 +1023,8 @@ class HubAuthenticated:
             self._hub_auth_user_cache = None
             raise
 
-        # store tokens passed via url or header in a cookie for future requests
-        url_token = self.hub_auth.get_token(self)
+        # store ?token=... tokens passed via url in a cookie for future requests
+        url_token = self.get_argument('token', '')
         if (
             user_model
             and url_token