diff --git a/openedx/features/content_type_gating/tests/test_access.py b/openedx/features/content_type_gating/tests/test_access.py
index c42a530e3ccf..3e3dae129801 100644
--- a/openedx/features/content_type_gating/tests/test_access.py
+++ b/openedx/features/content_type_gating/tests/test_access.py
@@ -1190,9 +1190,10 @@ def test_content_type_gate_for_block(self):
             self.user, blocks_dict['not_graded_1'], course['course'].id
         ) is None
 
-    @patch.object(ContentTypeGatingService, '_get_user', return_value=UserFactory.build())
-    def test_check_children_for_content_type_gating_paywall(self, mocked_user):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    @patch.object(ContentTypeGatingService, "_get_user")
+    def test_check_children_for_content_type_gating_paywall(self, mocked_get_user):
         ''' Verify that the method returns a content type gate when appropriate '''
+        mocked_get_user.return_value = UserFactory.create()  # saved user object with id
         course = self._create_course()
         blocks_dict = course['blocks']
         CourseEnrollmentFactory.create(