diff --git a/grade/report/lib.php b/grade/report/lib.php
index 59c462b6000..063cda31fa2 100644
--- a/grade/report/lib.php
+++ b/grade/report/lib.php
@@ -598,6 +598,11 @@ abstract class grade_report {
         $matrix = ['up' => 'desc', 'down' => 'asc'];
         $strsort = get_string($matrix[$direction], 'moodle');
         $arrow = $OUTPUT->pix_icon($pix[$direction], '', '', ['class' => 'sorticon']);
+
+        if (!empty($sortlink)) {
+            $sortlink->param('sort', ($direction == 'up' ? 'asc' : 'desc'));
+        }
+
         return html_writer::link($sortlink, $arrow, ['title' => $strsort, 'aria-label' => $strsort, 'data-collapse' => 'sort',
             'class' => 'arrow_link py-1']);
     }