diff --git a/app/graphql/types/base_object.rb b/app/graphql/types/base_object.rb
index 5251a772..6f7ae007 100644
--- a/app/graphql/types/base_object.rb
+++ b/app/graphql/types/base_object.rb
@@ -56,8 +56,9 @@ def self.expose_abilities(abilities, entity_name: graphql_name, subject_resolver
 
       field :user_abilities, type_class,
             null: false,
-            description: "Abilities for the current user on this #{entity_name}",
-            method: :itself
+            description: "Abilities for the current user on this #{entity_name}"
+
+      define_method(:user_abilities) { object || {} }
     end
 
     def self.lookahead_field(field, base_scope:, lookaheads: [], conditional_lookaheads: {})