diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tabs.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tabs.py
index dfe5cb14b9..7a8367a42b 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tabs.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tabs.py
@@ -108,8 +108,8 @@ def _staff_grading(tab, user, course, active_page):
     if has_access(user, course, 'staff'):
         link = reverse('staff_grading', args=[course.id])
         tab_name = "Staff grading"
-        
-        notifications  = open_ended_notifications.staff_grading_notifications(course)
+
+        notifications  = open_ended_notifications.staff_grading_notifications(course_id)
         pending_grading = notifications['pending_grading']
         img_path = notifications['img_path']
 
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ def _peer_grading(tab, user, course, active_page):
         link = reverse('peer_grading', args=[course.id])
         tab_name = "Peer grading"
 
-        notifications = open_ended_notifications.peer_grading_notifications(course, user)
+        notifications = open_ended_notifications.peer_grading_notifications(course_id, user)
         pending_grading = notifications['pending_grading']
         img_path = notifications['img_path']
 
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ def _combined_open_ended_grading(tab, user, course, active_page):
         link = reverse('open_ended_problems', args=[course.id])
         tab_name = "Open Ended Questions"
 
-        notifications  = open_ended_notifications.combined_notifications(course, user)
+        notifications  = open_ended_notifications.combined_notifications(course_id, user)
         pending_grading = notifications['pending_grading']
         img_path = notifications['img_path']
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/open_ended_grading/open_ended_notifications.py b/lms/djangoapps/open_ended_grading/open_ended_notifications.py
index d394769f1e..31b7a40dff 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/open_ended_grading/open_ended_notifications.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/open_ended_grading/open_ended_notifications.py
@@ -7,12 +7,12 @@ from student.models import unique_id_for_user
 import open_ended_util
 from courseware.models import StudentModule
 
-def staff_grading_notifications(course):
+def staff_grading_notifications(course_id):
     staff_gs = StaffGradingService(settings.STAFF_GRADING_INTERFACE)
     pending_grading=False
     img_path= ""
     try:
-        notifications = json.loads(staff_gs.get_notifications(course.id))
+        notifications = json.loads(staff_gs.get_notifications(course_id))
         if notifications['success']:
             if notifications['staff_needs_to_grade']:
                 pending_grading=True
@@ -25,12 +25,12 @@ def staff_grading_notifications(course):
 
     return {'pending_grading' : pending_grading, 'img_path' : img_path, 'response' : notifications}
 
-def peer_grading_notifications(course, user):
+def peer_grading_notifications(course_id, user):
     peer_gs = PeerGradingService(settings.PEER_GRADING_INTERFACE)
     pending_grading=False
     img_path= ""
     try:
-        notifications = json.loads(peer_gs.get_notifications(course.id,unique_id_for_user(user)))
+        notifications = json.loads(peer_gs.get_notifications(course_id,unique_id_for_user(user)))
         if notifications['success']:
             if notifications['student_needs_to_peer_grade']:
                 pending_grading=True
@@ -43,11 +43,10 @@ def peer_grading_notifications(course, user):
 
     return {'pending_grading' : pending_grading, 'img_path' : img_path, 'response' : notifications}
 
-def combined_notifications(course, user):
+def combined_notifications(course_id, user):
     controller_url = open_ended_util.get_controller_url()
     controller_qs = ControllerQueryService(controller_url)
     student_id = unique_id_for_user(user)
-    course_id = course.id
     user_is_staff  = has_access(user, course, 'staff')
 
     min_time_to_query = user.last_login
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/open_ended_grading/views.py b/lms/djangoapps/open_ended_grading/views.py
index e6841ccbd3..3797c2fbb2 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/open_ended_grading/views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/open_ended_grading/views.py
@@ -163,8 +163,11 @@ def student_problem_list(request, course_id):
         # Checked above
         'staff_access': False, })
 
+@cache_control(no_cache=True, no_store=True, must_revalidate=True)
 def combined_notifications(request, course_id):
     user = request.user
+    notifications = open_ended_notifications.combined_notifications(course_id, user)
+    response = notifications['response']