diff --git a/app/models/concerns/roleable.rb b/app/models/concerns/roleable.rb
index 86598092264..07062692400 100644
--- a/app/models/concerns/roleable.rb
+++ b/app/models/concerns/roleable.rb
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ module Roleable
 
   def grant_moderation!
     set_permission('moderator', true)
+    enqueue_welcome_moderator_message
   end
 
   def revoke_moderation!
diff --git a/app/models/user.rb b/app/models/user.rb
index 2a8a55f595e..9b27e1665bf 100644
--- a/app/models/user.rb
+++ b/app/models/user.rb
@@ -415,6 +415,11 @@ class User < ActiveRecord::Base
     Jobs.enqueue(:send_system_message, user_id: id, message_type: "welcome_tl1_user")
   end
 
+  def enqueue_welcome_moderator_message
+    return unless moderator
+    Jobs.enqueue(:send_system_message, user_id: id, message_type: 'welcome_moderator')
+  end
+
   def change_username(new_username, actor = nil)
     UsernameChanger.change(self, new_username, actor)
   end
diff --git a/config/locales/server.en.yml b/config/locales/server.en.yml
index 9f3dd9b53b3..2209536a1ba 100644
--- a/config/locales/server.en.yml
+++ b/config/locales/server.en.yml
@@ -2659,6 +2659,13 @@ en:
 
         We’re really glad you’re spending time with us and we’d love to know more about you. Take a moment to [fill out your profile](%{base_url}/my/preferences/profile), or feel free to [start a new topic](%{base_url}/categories).
 
+    welcome_moderator:
+      title: "Welcome Moderator"
+      subject_template: "Congratulations on becoming a moderator!"
+      text_body_template: |
+        You are now a moderator. -- congratulations!
+
+        You now have access to the <a href='%{base_url}/admin' target='_blank'>admin interface</a>
     welcome_invite:
       title: "Welcome Invite"
       subject_template: "Welcome to %{site_name}!"