diff --git a/rest_framework/authentication.py b/rest_framework/authentication.py
index 1e30728d3..1dfc23d7f 100644
--- a/rest_framework/authentication.py
+++ b/rest_framework/authentication.py
@@ -220,6 +220,6 @@ class RemoteUserAuthentication(BaseAuthentication):
     header = "REMOTE_USER"
 
     def authenticate(self, request):
-        user = authenticate(remote_user=request.META.get(self.header))
+        user = authenticate(request=request, remote_user=request.META.get(self.header))
         if user and user.is_active:
             return (user, None)