diff --git a/core/models/user_account.py b/core/models/user_account.py
index 3659f395dcb3dec79a371927c944cef8dbb7c35b..c2e11d96a6fb6a3a93279ef960dfc72dfaa97628 100644
--- a/core/models/user_account.py
+++ b/core/models/user_account.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from django.contrib.auth.models import AbstractUser, UserManager
 from django.db import models
 from django.db.models import (Case, Count, IntegerField, Q,
                               Value, When)
-from factory.django import get_model
+from django.apps import apps
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 config = constance.config
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class TutorReviewerManager(UserManager):
                     then=Value(1))),
                 output_field=IntegerField())
 
-        submission_subscription_model = get_model('core', 'SubmissionSubscription')  # noqa
+        submission_subscription_model = apps.get_model('core', 'SubmissionSubscription')  # noqa
 
         return self.get_queryset() \
             .annotate(feedback_created=_get_counter(