diff --git a/app/models/domain.rb b/app/models/domain.rb
index 894e3d20c..5ba9ab58e 100644
--- a/app/models/domain.rb
+++ b/app/models/domain.rb
@@ -439,7 +439,6 @@ class Domain < ActiveRecord::Base
   end
 
   def pending_update!
-    old_registrant_id = registrant_id
     return true if pending_update?
     self.epp_pending_update = true # for epp
 
@@ -451,8 +450,8 @@ class Domain < ActiveRecord::Base
     new_registrant_email = registrant.email
     new_registrant_name  = registrant.name
 
-    DomainMailer.pending_update_request_for_old_registrant(id, old_registrant_id, deliver_emails).deliver
-    DomainMailer.pending_update_notification_for_new_registrant(id, old_registrant_id, deliver_emails).deliver
+    DomainMailer.pending_update_request_for_old_registrant(id, registrant_id_was, deliver_emails).deliver
+    DomainMailer.pending_update_notification_for_new_registrant(id, registrant_id_was, deliver_emails).deliver
 
     reload # revert back to original