diff --git a/course/classes/category.php b/course/classes/category.php
index f944813e477..29b1bed8524 100644
--- a/course/classes/category.php
+++ b/course/classes/category.php
@@ -3098,6 +3098,9 @@ class core_course_category implements renderable, cacheable_object, IteratorAggr
      * @return bool
      */
     public function can_request_course() {
+        global $CFG;
+        require_once($CFG->dirroot . '/course/lib.php');
+
         return course_request::can_request($this->get_context());
     }