diff --git a/auth/cookie.py b/auth/cookie.py
index b60db51a6..68ed0f8ee 100644
--- a/auth/cookie.py
+++ b/auth/cookie.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from auth.validateresult import AuthKind, ValidateResult
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-def validate_session_cookie(auth_header=None):
+def validate_session_cookie(auth_header_unusued=None):
   """ Attempts to load a user from a session cookie. """
   if current_user.is_anonymous:
     return ValidateResult(AuthKind.cookie, missing=True)