diff --git a/src/memberdb/account_backend.py b/src/memberdb/account_backend.py
index 1ea8597e7590cee5811658519d69de5add0e0616..ea972a390057d0e04a7dea0cb8b79707d7e43be3 100644
--- a/src/memberdb/account_backend.py
+++ b/src/memberdb/account_backend.py
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ import logging
 import subprocess
 
 from squarepay import dispense
-import memberdb.models
-
+import memberdb.                      models
+log
 log = logging.getLogger('ldap')
 
 # load config
@@ -32,7 +32,11 @@ make_mail_cmd   = 'ssh -i %s root@mooneye "/usr/local/mailman/bin/add_members" -
 make_mail_key   = './mooneye.key'
 
 uid_rel_base_dn = "CN=ypservers,CN=ypServ30,CN=RpcServices,CN=System,"
-maxuid_dn       = "CN=uccdomayne," + uid_rel_base_dn + ldap_base_dn
+# hack, FIXME
+if (getattr(settings, 'ENV') == 'PROD'):
+  maxuid_dn       = "CN=uccdomayne," + uid_rel_base_dn + ldap_base_dn
+else:
+  maxuid_dn       = "CN=vucc," + uid_rel_base_dn + ldap_base_dn
 
 #initalise ldap instace
 _ldap_inst = Connection(