diff --git a/src/contracts/abi.rs b/src/contracts/abi.rs
index 234a2582..d7f55a35 100644
--- a/src/contracts/abi.rs
+++ b/src/contracts/abi.rs
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ abigen!(
         function deleteIdentities(uint256[8] calldata deletionProof, bytes calldata packedDeletionIndices, uint256 preRoot, uint256 postRoot) public virtual
         function latestRoot() public view virtual returns (uint256 root)
         function owner() public view virtual returns (address)
+        function identityOperator() public view virtual returns (address)
         function queryRoot(uint256 root) public view virtual returns (RootInfo memory)
         function getRootHistoryExpiry() external view returns (uint256)
     ]"#,
diff --git a/src/contracts/mod.rs b/src/contracts/mod.rs
index 3df8819a..774b64c4 100644
--- a/src/contracts/mod.rs
+++ b/src/contracts/mod.rs
@@ -102,14 +102,15 @@ impl IdentityManager {
             ethereum.provider().clone(),
         );
 
-        let owner = abi.owner().call().await?;
-        if owner != ethereum.address() {
-            error!(?owner, signer = ?ethereum.address(), "Signer is not the owner of the identity manager contract.");
+        let operator = abi.identity_operator().call().await?;
+        if operator != ethereum.address() {
+            error!(?operator, signer = ?ethereum.address(), "Signer is not the identity operator of the identity manager contract.");
             panic!("Cannot currently continue in read-only mode.")
         }
+
         info!(
             ?address,
-            ?owner,
+            ?operator,
             "Connected to the WorldID Identity Manager"
         );