diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/permissions.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/permissions.py
index 7038960660..722a4a4bbf 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/permissions.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/permissions.py
@@ -5,10 +5,12 @@ Permission definitions for the courseware djangoapp
 from bridgekeeper import perms
 from .rules import HasAccessRule
 
+EDIT_BOOKMARK = 'courseware.edit_bookmark'
 VIEW_COURSE_HOME = 'courseware.view_course_home'
 VIEW_COURSEWARE = 'courseware.view_courseware'
 VIEW_XQA_INTERFACE = 'courseware.view_xqa_interface'
 
+perms[EDIT_BOOKMARK] = HasAccessRule('staff')
 perms[VIEW_COURSE_HOME] = HasAccessRule('load')
 perms[VIEW_COURSEWARE] = HasAccessRule('load')
 perms[VIEW_XQA_INTERFACE] = HasAccessRule('staff')
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_bookmarks/plugins.py b/openedx/features/course_bookmarks/plugins.py
index 21103617c9..7ec78dca96 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_bookmarks/plugins.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_bookmarks/plugins.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from __future__ import absolute_import
 from django.urls import reverse
 from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
 
-from courseware.access import has_access
+from courseware.permissions import EDIT_BOOKMARK
 from openedx.features.course_experience.course_tools import CourseTool
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
 
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ class CourseBookmarksTool(CourseTool):
         """
         The bookmarks tool is only enabled for enrolled users or staff.
         """
-        if has_access(request.user, 'staff', course_key):
+        if request.user.has_perm(EDIT_BOOKMARK, course_key):
             return True
         return CourseEnrollment.is_enrolled(request.user, course_key)