diff --git a/src/middleware/user.js b/src/middleware/user.js
index 4b4af39c5f..c2c3bd9dd6 100644
--- a/src/middleware/user.js
+++ b/src/middleware/user.js
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ module.exports = function (middleware) {
 
 	middleware.checkGlobalPrivacySettings = function (req, res, next) {
 		if (!req.user && !!parseInt(meta.config.privateUserInfo, 10)) {
-			return controllers.helpers.notAllowed(req, res);
+			return middleware.authenticate(req, res, next);
 		}
 
 		next();