diff --git a/security/manager/ssl/tests/mochitest/bugs/test_bug480509.html b/security/manager/ssl/tests/mochitest/bugs/test_bug480509.html
index 4d0e0ec2a1c..9537de19655 100644
--- a/security/manager/ssl/tests/mochitest/bugs/test_bug480509.html
+++ b/security/manager/ssl/tests/mochitest/bugs/test_bug480509.html
@@ -66,8 +66,7 @@ function onWindowLoad()
   try
   {
     req.open("GET", "https://www.bank1.com/", false);
-    netscape.security.PrivilegeManager.enablePrivilege("UniversalXPConnect");
-    req.channel.notificationCallbacks = certListener;
+    SpecialPowers.setPrivilegedProps(req, "channel.notificationCallbacks", certListener);
     req.send(null);
   }
   catch(ex)
diff --git a/testing/mochitest/tests/SimpleTest/specialpowersAPI.js b/testing/mochitest/tests/SimpleTest/specialpowersAPI.js
index 192d49adfc0..47f11148ec2 100644
--- a/testing/mochitest/tests/SimpleTest/specialpowersAPI.js
+++ b/testing/mochitest/tests/SimpleTest/specialpowersAPI.js
@@ -940,6 +940,23 @@ SpecialPowersAPI.prototype = {
     }
     return obj;
   },
+  setPrivilegedProps: function(obj, props, val) {
+    var parts = props.split('.');
+
+    if (parts.length == 0) {
+      return;
+    }
+
+    for (var i = 0; i < parts.length - 1; i++) {
+      var p = parts[i];
+      if (obj[p]) {
+        obj = obj[p];
+      } else {
+        return;
+      }
+    }
+    obj[parts[i]] = val;
+  },
 
   get focusManager() {
     if (this._fm != null)