diff --git a/benefits/superuser.py b/benefits/superuser.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c4c3ab2f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/benefits/superuser.py
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+import os
+import logging
+
+from django.contrib.auth import get_user_model
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+User = get_user_model()  # get the currently active user model
+
+username = os.environ.get("DJANGO_SUPERUSER_USERNAME")
+user = User.objects.filter(username=username)
+
+if user.exists():
+    logger.debug("Skipping superuser creation since it already exists")
+else:
+    email = os.environ.get("DJANGO_SUPERUSER_EMAIL")
+    password = os.environ.get("DJANGO_SUPERUSER_PASSWORD")
+
+    logger.debug("Creating superuser")
+    User.objects.create_superuser(username, email, password)
diff --git a/bin/init.sh b/bin/init.sh
index 8a11d863e..e24f64357 100755
--- a/bin/init.sh
+++ b/bin/init.sh
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ python manage.py migrate
 # check DJANGO_ADMIN = true, default to false if empty or unset
 
 if [[ ${DJANGO_ADMIN:-false} = true ]]; then
-    python manage.py createsuperuser --no-input
+    cat benefits/superuser.py | python manage.py shell
 else
     echo "superuser: Django not configured for Admin access"
 fi