diff --git a/app/models/ability.rb b/app/models/ability.rb
index caf8f2a4..4fc5ae34 100644
--- a/app/models/ability.rb
+++ b/app/models/ability.rb
@@ -122,9 +122,7 @@ class Ability
     # if not, do not allow replies.
 
     # do not allow replies before the start_date or after the end_date of survey
-    cannot :reply, Survey do |survey|
-      survey.start_date > Time.current || survey.end_date < Time.current
-    end
+    cannot :reply, Survey, &:closed?
 
     can [:destroy], Openid
 
diff --git a/app/models/survey.rb b/app/models/survey.rb
index 50e251a7..66783e90 100644
--- a/app/models/survey.rb
+++ b/app/models/survey.rb
@@ -32,4 +32,8 @@ class Survey < ActiveRecord::Base
       now <= end_date
     end
   end
+
+  def closed?
+    !active?
+  end
 end