diff --git a/mod/forum/lib.php b/mod/forum/lib.php
index e8a3349dc91..dd3f232dd69 100644
--- a/mod/forum/lib.php
+++ b/mod/forum/lib.php
@@ -2938,7 +2938,7 @@ function forum_get_course_forum($courseid, $type) {
     $mod->instance = $forum->id;
     $mod->section = 0;
     if (! $mod->coursemodule = add_course_module($mod) ) {   // assumes course/lib.php is loaded
-        echo $OUTPUT->notification("Could not add a new course module to the course '" . format_string($course->fullname) . "'");
+        echo $OUTPUT->notification("Could not add a new course module to the course '" . $courseid . "'");
         return false;
     }
     if (! $sectionid = add_mod_to_section($mod) ) {   // assumes course/lib.php is loaded