diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/course.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/course.py
index 99483aee961d..250b916d33bc 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/course.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/course.py
@@ -625,7 +625,8 @@ def course_index(request, course_key):
         lms_link = get_lms_link_for_item(course_module.location)
         reindex_link = None
         if settings.FEATURES.get('ENABLE_COURSEWARE_INDEX', False):
-            reindex_link = "/course/{course_id}/search_reindex".format(course_id=unicode(course_key))
+            if GlobalStaff().has_user(request.user):
+                reindex_link = "/course/{course_id}/search_reindex".format(course_id=unicode(course_key))
         sections = course_module.get_children()
         course_structure = _course_outline_json(request, course_module)
         locator_to_show = request.GET.get('show', None)