diff --git a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/index.js b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/index.js
index 22719f008..58b7df986 100644
--- a/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/index.js
+++ b/packages/node_modules/@node-red/runtime/lib/index.js
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ var stubbedExpressApp = {
 }
 var adminApi = {
     auth: {
-        needsPermission: function() {}
+        needsPermission: function() {return function(req,res,next) {next()}}
     },
     adminApp: stubbedExpressApp,
     server: {}