diff --git a/mod/forum/lib.php b/mod/forum/lib.php
index f10cc5c82ae..d6e731a95d4 100644
--- a/mod/forum/lib.php
+++ b/mod/forum/lib.php
@@ -3675,7 +3675,7 @@ function forum_rating_validate($params) {
 function forum_print_discussion_header(&$post, $forum, $group=-1, $datestring="",
                                         $cantrack=true, $forumtracked=true, $canviewparticipants=true, $modcontext=NULL) {
 
-    global $USER, $CFG, $OUTPUT;
+    global $COURSE, $USER, $CFG, $OUTPUT;
 
     static $rowcount;
     static $strmarkalldread;
@@ -3725,7 +3725,7 @@ function forum_print_discussion_header(&$post, $forum, $group=-1, $datestring=""
         if (!empty($group->picture) and empty($group->hidepicture)) {
             print_group_picture($group, $forum->course, false, false, true);
         } else if (isset($group->id)) {
-            if($canviewparticipants) {
+            if ($canviewparticipants && $COURSE->groupmode) {
                 echo '<a href="'.$CFG->wwwroot.'/user/index.php?id='.$forum->course.'&amp;group='.$group->id.'">'.$group->name.'</a>';
             } else {
                 echo $group->name;