diff --git a/login/signup_form.php b/login/signup_form.php
index 218731e3c06..df2f0a1e96d 100644
--- a/login/signup_form.php
+++ b/login/signup_form.php
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ class login_signup_form extends moodleform {
         $mform->setType('email2', PARAM_NOTAGS);
         $mform->addRule('email2', get_string('missingemail'), 'required', null, 'server');
 
+        $nameordercheck = new object();
         $nameordercheck->firstname = 'a';
         $nameordercheck->lastname  = 'b';
         if (fullname($nameordercheck) == 'b a' ) {  // See MDL-4325