diff --git a/ietf/person/tests.py b/ietf/person/tests.py
index f0c7196b6..61089eee5 100644
--- a/ietf/person/tests.py
+++ b/ietf/person/tests.py
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ import datetime
 
 from pyquery import PyQuery
 from io import StringIO
+
+from django.http import HttpRequest
 from django.urls import reverse as urlreverse
 from django.utils.encoding import iri_to_uri
 
@@ -229,13 +231,17 @@ class PersonUtilsTests(TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(source_alias in target.alias_set.all())
 
     def test_merge_persons(self):
+        secretariat_role = RoleFactory(group__acronym='secretariat', name_id='secr')
+        user = secretariat_role.person.user
+        request = HttpRequest()
+        request.user = user
         source = PersonFactory()
         target = PersonFactory()
         source_id = source.pk
         source_email = source.email_set.first()
         source_alias = source.alias_set.first()
         source_user = source.user
-        merge_persons(source, target, file=StringIO())
+        merge_persons(request, source, target, file=StringIO())
         self.assertTrue(source_email in target.email_set.all())
         self.assertTrue(source_alias in target.alias_set.all())
         self.assertFalse(Person.objects.filter(id=source_id))
diff --git a/ietf/person/utils.py b/ietf/person/utils.py
index 8afe79791..b19931813 100755
--- a/ietf/person/utils.py
+++ b/ietf/person/utils.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import sys
 import syslog
 
 from django.contrib import admin
-from django.contrib.auth.models import User
 from django.core.cache import cache
 from django.core.exceptions import ObjectDoesNotExist
 
@@ -18,7 +17,7 @@ import debug                            # pyflakes:ignore
 from ietf.person.models import Person
 from ietf.utils.mail import send_mail
 
-def merge_persons(source, target, file=sys.stdout, verbose=False):
+def merge_persons(request, source, target, file=sys.stdout, verbose=False):
     changes = []
 
     # write log
@@ -44,12 +43,8 @@ def merge_persons(source, target, file=sys.stdout, verbose=False):
 
     # check for any remaining relationships and exit if more found
     objs = [source]
-    opts = Person._meta
-    user = User.objects.filter(is_superuser=True).first()
-    admin_site = admin.site
-    using = 'default'
-    deletable_objects = admin.utils.get_deleted_objects(
-        objs, opts, user, admin_site, using)
+#    request.user = User.objects.filter(is_superuser=True).first()
+    deletable_objects = admin.utils.get_deleted_objects(objs, request, admin.site)
     deletable_objects_summary = deletable_objects[1]
     if len(deletable_objects_summary) > 1:    # should only inlcude one object (Person)
         print("Not Deleting Person: {}({})".format(source.ascii,source.pk), file=file)
@@ -194,7 +189,6 @@ def get_active_balloters(ballot_type):
     return active_balloters
 
 def get_active_ads():
-    from ietf.person.models import Person
     cache_key = "doc:active_ads"
     active_ads = cache.get(cache_key)
     if not active_ads:
@@ -203,7 +197,6 @@ def get_active_ads():
     return active_ads
 
 def get_active_irsg():
-    from ietf.person.models import Person
     cache_key = "doc:active_irsg_balloters"
     active_irsg_balloters = cache.get(cache_key)
     if not active_irsg_balloters:
diff --git a/ietf/person/views.py b/ietf/person/views.py
index dade5c1ff..0fb967743 100644
--- a/ietf/person/views.py
+++ b/ietf/person/views.py
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ def merge(request):
             target = form.cleaned_data.get('target')
             # Do merge with force
             output = StringIO()
-            success, changes = merge_persons(source, target, file=output)
+            success, changes = merge_persons(request, source, target, file=output)
             if success:
                 messages.success(request, 'Merged {} ({}) to {} ({}). {})'.format(
                     source.name, source_id, target.name, target.id, changes))