diff --git a/axes/helpers.py b/axes/helpers.py
index 047ae04..7e3c4cd 100644
--- a/axes/helpers.py
+++ b/axes/helpers.py
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ def get_lockout_response(request, credentials: dict = None) -> HttpResponse:
             }
         )
 
-    if request.is_ajax():
+    if request.META.get('x-requested-with') == 'XMLHttpRequest':
         return JsonResponse(context, status=status)
 
     if settings.AXES_LOCKOUT_TEMPLATE:
diff --git a/axes/tests/test_utils.py b/axes/tests/test_utils.py
index 1162391..477e28b 100644
--- a/axes/tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/axes/tests/test_utils.py
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ class LockoutResponseTestCase(AxesTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(type(response), HttpResponseRedirect)
 
     def test_get_lockout_response_lockout_json(self):
-        self.request.is_ajax = lambda: True
+        self.request.META['x-requested-with'] = 'XMLHttpRequest'
         response = get_lockout_response(request=self.request)
         self.assertEqual(type(response), JsonResponse)