diff --git a/opentech/apply/users/models.py b/opentech/apply/users/models.py
index 63b06aca30a659d95376598cc8f54c59aa440b04..a6336ad839e9599cb9429f67e2eb0b63992c52f2 100644
--- a/opentech/apply/users/models.py
+++ b/opentech/apply/users/models.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class User(AbstractUser):
 
     @property
     def is_applicant(self):
-        return not self.groups.exists()
+        return not self.is_apply_staff and not self.is_reviewer
 
     class Meta:
         ordering = ('full_name', 'email')