diff --git a/question/type/essay/questiontype.php b/question/type/essay/questiontype.php
index bd4d541eb29..69e46ff2026 100644
--- a/question/type/essay/questiontype.php
+++ b/question/type/essay/questiontype.php
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ class question_essay_qtype extends default_questiontype {
             $answer->feedback = $question->feedback;
             $answer->fraction = $question->fraction;
             if (!update_record("question_answers", $answer)) {
+                $result = new stdClass;
                 $result->error = "Could not update quiz answer!";
                 return $result;
             }
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ class question_essay_qtype extends default_questiontype {
             $answer->feedback = $question->feedback;
             $answer->fraction = $question->fraction;
             if (!$answer->id = insert_record("question_answers", $answer)) {
+                $result = new stdClass;
                 $result->error = "Could not insert quiz answer!";
                 return $result;
             }