diff --git a/ckan/tests/functional/api/test_dashboard.py b/ckan/tests/functional/api/test_dashboard.py
index 11592ec5367..21ed3af9847 100644
--- a/ckan/tests/functional/api/test_dashboard.py
+++ b/ckan/tests/functional/api/test_dashboard.py
@@ -246,10 +246,10 @@ def test_04_activities_from_followed_groups(self):
 
         # Make someone that the user is not following update a group that the
         # user is following.
-        params = json.dumps({'id': 'roger', 'description': 'updated'})
-        response = self.app.post('/api/action/group_update', params=params,
-            extra_environ={'Authorization': str(self.testsysadmin['apikey'])})
-        assert response.json['success'] is True
+        group = self.post('group_show', {'id': 'roger'},
+        apikey=self.testsysadmin['apikey'])
+        group['description'] = 'updated'
+        self.post('group_update', group, apikey=self.testsysadmin['apikey'])
 
         # Check the new activity in new_user's dashboard.
         activities = self.dashboard_activity_list(self.new_user)