diff --git a/zerver/views/__init__.py b/zerver/views/__init__.py
index a26383b3c6..6dbd92bd10 100644
--- a/zerver/views/__init__.py
+++ b/zerver/views/__init__.py
@@ -2018,10 +2018,9 @@ def get_status_list(requesting_user_profile):
     return {'presences': get_status_dict(requesting_user_profile),
             'server_timestamp': time.time()}
 
-@authenticated_json_post_view
 @has_request_variables
-def json_update_active_status(request, user_profile, status=REQ,
-                              new_user_input=REQ(converter=json_to_bool, default=False)):
+def update_active_status_backend(request, user_profile, status=REQ,
+                                 new_user_input=REQ(converter=json_to_bool, default=False)):
     status_val = UserPresence.status_from_string(status)
     if status_val is None:
         raise JsonableError("Invalid presence status: %s" % (status,))
@@ -2044,6 +2043,10 @@ def json_update_active_status(request, user_profile, status=REQ,
 
     return json_success(ret)
 
+@authenticated_json_post_view
+def json_update_active_status(request, user_profile):
+    return update_active_status_backend(request, user_profile)
+
 @authenticated_json_post_view
 def json_get_active_statuses(request, user_profile):
     return json_success(get_status_list(user_profile))
diff --git a/zproject/urls.py b/zproject/urls.py
index a477fb262c..40894723a2 100644
--- a/zproject/urls.py
+++ b/zproject/urls.py
@@ -205,6 +205,8 @@ v1_api_and_json_patterns = patterns('zerver.views',
              'DELETE': 'remove_alert_words'}),
     url(r'^users/me/api_key/regenerate$', 'rest_dispatch',
             {'POST': 'regenerate_api_key'}),
+    url(r'^users/me/presence$', 'rest_dispatch',
+            {'POST': 'update_active_status_backend'}),
     # Endpoint used by iOS devices to register their
     # unique APNS device token
     url(r'^users/me/apns_device_token$', 'rest_dispatch',