diff --git a/lib/guardian/topic_guardian.rb b/lib/guardian/topic_guardian.rb
index f691942bc..1f767fbc5 100644
--- a/lib/guardian/topic_guardian.rb
+++ b/lib/guardian/topic_guardian.rb
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ module TopicGuardian
 
   # Creating Methods
   def can_create_topic?(parent)
-    is_admin? ||
+    is_staff? ||
     (user &&
       user.trust_level >= SiteSetting.min_trust_to_create_topic.to_i &&
       can_create_post?(parent))
diff --git a/spec/components/guardian_spec.rb b/spec/components/guardian_spec.rb
index e6e4e95fd..45be1d7d9 100644
--- a/spec/components/guardian_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/components/guardian_spec.rb
@@ -415,6 +415,7 @@ describe Guardian do
         Guardian.new(build(:user, trust_level: 1)).can_create?(Topic,Fabricate(:category)).should be_true
         Guardian.new(build(:user, trust_level: 2)).can_create?(Topic,Fabricate(:category)).should be_true
         Guardian.new(build(:admin, trust_level: 0)).can_create?(Topic,Fabricate(:category)).should be_true
+        Guardian.new(build(:moderator, trust_level: 0)).can_create?(Topic,Fabricate(:category)).should be_true
       end
     end