diff --git a/app/models/domain.rb b/app/models/domain.rb
index a8e86fb59..ca1dc762e 100644
--- a/app/models/domain.rb
+++ b/app/models/domain.rb
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ class Domain < ActiveRecord::Base
   end
 
   def pending_update!
-    old_registrar_id = registrar_id
+    old_registrant_id = registrant_id
     return true if pending_update?
     self.epp_pending_update = true # for epp
 
@@ -429,7 +429,7 @@ class Domain < ActiveRecord::Base
     new_registrant_email = registrant.email
     new_registrant_name  = registrant.name
 
-    DomainMailer.pending_update_request_for_old_registrant(id, old_registrar_id, deliver_emails).deliver
+    DomainMailer.pending_update_request_for_old_registrant(id, old_registrant_id, deliver_emails).deliver
     DomainMailer.pending_update_notification_for_new_registrant(id, deliver_emails).deliver
 
     reload # revert back to original