diff --git a/common/djangoapps/student/management/commands/create_random_users.py b/common/djangoapps/student/management/commands/create_random_users.py
index ee895a3c48..465077afec 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/student/management/commands/create_random_users.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/student/management/commands/create_random_users.py
@@ -39,6 +39,6 @@ Examples:
             except InvalidKeyError:
                 course_key = SlashSeparatedCourseKey.from_deprecated_string(args[1])
         else:
-            course_id = None
+            course_key = None
 
-        create(n, course_id)
+        create(n, course_key)