diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/presents/server/PresentsServer.java b/src/java/com/threerings/presents/server/PresentsServer.java
index 60a4ca3d2..63658b34c 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/presents/server/PresentsServer.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/presents/server/PresentsServer.java
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ public class PresentsServer
 
         // create our connection manager
         conmgr = new ConnectionManager(getListenPorts());
-        conmgr.setAuthenticator(new DummyAuthenticator());
+        conmgr.setAuthenticator(createAuthenticator());
 
         // create our client manager
         clmgr = createClientManager(conmgr);
@@ -139,6 +139,14 @@ public class PresentsServer
         }.schedule(REPORT_INTERVAL, true);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Creates the client Authenticator to be used on this server.
+     */
+    protected Authenticator createAuthenticator ()
+    {
+        return new DummyAuthenticator();
+    }
+
     /**
      * Creates the client manager to be used on this server.
      */