diff --git a/r2/r2/models/admintools.py b/r2/r2/models/admintools.py
index 385747076..62eebcb64 100644
--- a/r2/r2/models/admintools.py
+++ b/r2/r2/models/admintools.py
@@ -178,10 +178,6 @@ class AdminTools(object):
 
         account.friend_rels_cache(_update=True)
 
-        if g.lounge_reddit:
-            sr = Subreddit._by_name(g.lounge_reddit)
-            sr.add_contributor(account)
-
     def degolden(self, account, severe=False):
 
         if severe:
@@ -192,10 +188,6 @@ class AdminTools(object):
         account.gold = False
         account._commit()
 
-        if g.lounge_reddit and not getattr(account, "gold_charter", False):
-            sr = Subreddit._by_name(g.lounge_reddit)
-            sr.remove_contributor(account)
-
     def admin_list(self):
         return list(g.admins)
 
diff --git a/r2/r2/models/subreddit.py b/r2/r2/models/subreddit.py
index 56639af1d..c4e8178f1 100644
--- a/r2/r2/models/subreddit.py
+++ b/r2/r2/models/subreddit.py
@@ -312,6 +312,12 @@ class Subreddit(Thing, Printable):
     def spammy(self):
         return self._spam
 
+    def is_contributor(self, user):
+        if self.name.lower() == g.lounge_reddit.lower():
+            return user.gold or user.gold_charter
+        else:
+            return super(Subreddit, self).is_contributor(user)
+
     def can_comment(self, user):
         if c.user_is_admin:
             return True