Purchased upgrade, never had a USB elicenser

I have been using Cubase AI7 which came on disc with an UR22. I purchased an upgrade to 8.5, which I assumed would be an easy process. I have tried to activate it, but now it says I have to have a USB elicenser. This was never mentioned during the purchasing process. I want to use the program, but no one from Steinberg is responding to me. How can I get the program I just spent $300 on to work without this USB thing, which I never had, and don’t want?