diff --git a/course/format/classes/output/local/content/section/controlmenu.php b/course/format/classes/output/local/content/section/controlmenu.php
index 8b0d98fc711..9cab6c5c37a 100644
--- a/course/format/classes/output/local/content/section/controlmenu.php
+++ b/course/format/classes/output/local/content/section/controlmenu.php
@@ -193,19 +193,21 @@ class controlmenu implements named_templatable, renderable {
                 'attr' => ['class' => 'icon edit'],
             ];
 
-            $duplicatesectionurl = clone($baseurl);
-            $duplicatesectionurl->param('section', $section->section);
-            $duplicatesectionurl->param('duplicatesection', $section->section);
-            if (!is_null($sectionreturn)) {
-                $duplicatesectionurl->param('sr', $sectionreturn);
+            if ($section->section) {
+                $duplicatesectionurl = clone($baseurl);
+                $duplicatesectionurl->param('section', $section->section);
+                $duplicatesectionurl->param('duplicatesection', $section->section);
+                if (!is_null($sectionreturn)) {
+                    $duplicatesectionurl->param('sr', $sectionreturn);
+                }
+                $controls['duplicate'] = [
+                    'url' => $duplicatesectionurl,
+                    'icon' => 't/copy',
+                    'name' => get_string('duplicate'),
+                    'pixattr' => ['class' => ''],
+                    'attr' => ['class' => 'icon duplicate'],
+                ];
             }
-            $controls['duplicate'] = [
-                'url' => $duplicatesectionurl,
-                'icon' => 't/copy',
-                'name' => get_string('duplicate'),
-                'pixattr' => ['class' => ''],
-                'attr' => ['class' => 'icon duplicate'],
-            ];
         }
 
         if ($section->section) {