diff --git a/zerver/management/commands/rate_limit.py b/zerver/management/commands/rate_limit.py
index 66954ef257..b132c8507a 100644
--- a/zerver/management/commands/rate_limit.py
+++ b/zerver/management/commands/rate_limit.py
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ from __future__ import print_function
 from typing import Any
 
 from argparse import ArgumentParser
-from zerver.models import UserProfile, get_user_profile_by_email
+from zerver.models import UserProfile
 from zerver.lib.rate_limiter import block_user, unblock_user
+from zerver.lib.management import ZulipBaseCommand
 
-from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
 from optparse import make_option
 
-class Command(BaseCommand):
+class Command(ZulipBaseCommand):
     help = """Manually block or unblock a user from accessing the API"""
 
     def add_arguments(self, parser):
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
                             help="Whether or not to also block all bots for this user.")
         parser.add_argument('operation', metavar='<operation>', type=str, choices=['block', 'unblock'],
                             help="operation to perform (block or unblock)")
+        self.add_realm_args(parser)
 
     def handle(self, *args, **options):
         # type: (*Any, **Any) -> None
@@ -45,8 +46,9 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             print("Please enter either an email or API key to manage")
             exit(1)
 
+        realm = self.get_realm(options)
         if options['email']:
-            user_profile = get_user_profile_by_email(options['email'])
+            user_profile = self.get_user(options['email'], realm)
         else:
             try:
                 user_profile = UserProfile.objects.get(api_key=options['api_key'])