diff --git a/mod/forum/tests/behat/behat_mod_forum.php b/mod/forum/tests/behat/behat_mod_forum.php
index 9173933426c..acbd688ad46 100644
--- a/mod/forum/tests/behat/behat_mod_forum.php
+++ b/mod/forum/tests/behat/behat_mod_forum.php
@@ -250,6 +250,11 @@ class behat_mod_forum extends behat_base {
                 $cm = get_coursemodule_from_instance('forum', $replyinfo['forum']);
             }
 
+            // Get the user id of the user to whom the reply is private.
+            if (!empty($replyinfo['privatereplyto'])) {
+                $replyinfo['privatereplyto'] = $this->get_user_id($replyinfo['privatereplyto']);
+            }
+
             // Create the reply post.
             $reply = $forumgenerator->create_post($replyinfo);
 
diff --git a/mod/forum/tests/behat/private_replies.feature b/mod/forum/tests/behat/private_replies.feature
index ec64e3632bc..a647363115d 100644
--- a/mod/forum/tests/behat/private_replies.feature
+++ b/mod/forum/tests/behat/private_replies.feature
@@ -26,10 +26,9 @@ Feature: Forum posts can be replied to in private
     And the following "mod_forum > discussions" exist:
       | user     | forum  | name                    | message                                        |
       | student1 | forum  | Answers to the homework | Here are the answers to last night's homework. |
-    And I am on the "Science 101" course page logged in as teacher1
-    And I reply "Answers to the homework" post from "Study discussions" forum with:
-      | Message         | How about you and I have a meeting after class about plagiarism? |
-      | Reply privately | 1                                                                |
+    And the following forum replies exist in course "Science 101":
+      | user     | forum             | discussion              | message                                                        | privatereplyto |
+      | teacher1 | Study discussions | Answers to the homework |How about you and I have a meeting after class about plagiarism?| student1       |
 
   Scenario: As a teacher I can see my own response
     Given I am on the "Study discussions" "forum activity" page logged in as teacher1