diff --git a/addons/gamification/models/challenge.py b/addons/gamification/models/challenge.py
index 5bbee5bbede..ae27aa96719 100644
--- a/addons/gamification/models/challenge.py
+++ b/addons/gamification/models/challenge.py
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ class gamification_challenge(osv.Model):
             vals['user_ids'] += [(4, user.id) for user in new_group.users]
 
         if vals.get('state') == 'inprogress':
-
+            # starting a challenge
             if not vals.get('autojoin_group_id'):
                 # starting challenge, add users in autojoin group
                 if not vals.get('user_ids'):
@@ -284,13 +284,13 @@ class gamification_challenge(osv.Model):
         planned_challenge_ids = self.search(cr, uid, [
             ('state', '=', 'draft'),
             ('start_date', '<=', fields.date.today())])
-        self.action_start(cr, uid, planned_challenge_ids, context=context)
+        self.write(cr, uid, planned_challenge_ids, {'state': 'inprogress'}, context=context)
 
         # close planned challenges
         planned_challenge_ids = self.search(cr, uid, [
             ('state', '=', 'inprogress'),
             ('end_date', '>=', fields.date.today())])
-        self.action_close(cr, uid, planned_challenge_ids, context=context)
+        self.write(cr, uid, planned_challenge_ids, {'state': 'done'}, context=context)
 
         if not ids:
             ids = self.search(cr, uid, [('state', '=', 'inprogress')], context=context)
diff --git a/addons/gamification/tests/test_challenge.py b/addons/gamification/tests/test_challenge.py
index c5dc02ef468..2655a1b26fd 100644
--- a/addons/gamification/tests/test_challenge.py
+++ b/addons/gamification/tests/test_challenge.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class test_challenge(common.TransactionCase):
     def test_10_reach_challenge(self):
         cr, uid, context = self.cr, self.uid, {}
         
-        self.challenge_obj.action_start(cr, uid, [self.challenge_base_id], context=context)
+        self.challenge_obj.write(cr, uid, [self.challenge_base_id], {'state': 'inprogress'}, context=context)
         challenge = self.challenge_obj.browse(cr, uid, self.challenge_base_id, context=context)
         challenge_user_ids = [user.id for user in challenge.user_ids]
 
diff --git a/addons/hr_gamification/models/gamification.py b/addons/hr_gamification/models/gamification.py
index f07ed9c95c4..b2aa9039cb1 100644
--- a/addons/hr_gamification/models/gamification.py
+++ b/addons/hr_gamification/models/gamification.py
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 ##############################################################################
 
 from openerp.osv import fields, osv
-from openerp import SUPERUSER_ID
 
 
 class hr_gamification_badge_user(osv.Model):