diff --git a/rhodecode/lib/middleware/simplehg.py b/rhodecode/lib/middleware/simplehg.py
--- a/rhodecode/lib/middleware/simplehg.py
+++ b/rhodecode/lib/middleware/simplehg.py
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ class SimpleHg(object):
         return repo_name
 
     def __get_user(self, username):
-        return User.by_username(username)
+        return User.get_by_username(username)
 
     def __get_action(self, environ):
         """