diff --git a/app/models/topic.rb b/app/models/topic.rb
index b5c95d9ceaf..9d01bd55fc0 100644
--- a/app/models/topic.rb
+++ b/app/models/topic.rb
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ class Topic < ActiveRecord::Base
       invite = Invite.create(invited_by: invited_by, email: lower_email)
       unless invite.valid?
 
-        grant_permission_to_user if email_already_exists_for?(invite)
+        grant_permission_to_user(lower_email) if email_already_exists_for?(invite)
 
         return
       end
@@ -444,8 +444,8 @@ class Topic < ActiveRecord::Base
     invite.email_already_exists and private_message?
   end
 
-  def grant_permission_to_user
-    User.where(email: lower_email).first
+  def grant_permission_to_user(lower_email)
+    user = User.where(email: lower_email).first
     topic_allowed_users.create!(user_id: user.id)
   end