diff --git a/mod/forum/lib.php b/mod/forum/lib.php
index c91b9963359..c0cb23c9707 100644
--- a/mod/forum/lib.php
+++ b/mod/forum/lib.php
@@ -2486,9 +2486,8 @@ function forum_count_discussion_replies($forumid, $forumsort="", $limit=-1, $pag
                   FROM {forum_posts} p
                        JOIN {forum_discussions} d ON p.discussion = d.id
                  WHERE d.forum = ?
-              GROUP BY p.discussion $groupby
-              $orderby";
-        return $DB->get_records_sql("SELECT * FROM ($sql) sq", array($forumid), $limitfrom, $limitnum);
+              GROUP BY p.discussion $groupby $orderby";
+        return $DB->get_records_sql($sql, array($forumid), $limitfrom, $limitnum);
     }
 }