diff --git a/lib/badgeslib.php b/lib/badgeslib.php
index 88a7ae6757c..f9716e62c59 100644
--- a/lib/badgeslib.php
+++ b/lib/badgeslib.php
@@ -1017,7 +1017,7 @@ function badges_get_default_issuer() {
         $issuer['name'] = $SITE->fullname ? $SITE->fullname : $SITE->shortname;
     }
     $issuer['url'] = $issuerurl->out(false);
-    $issuer['email'] = $sitebackpack->backpackemail ?? $CFG->badges_defaultissuercontact;
+    $issuer['email'] = $sitebackpack->backpackemail ?: $CFG->badges_defaultissuercontact;
     $issuer['@context'] = OPEN_BADGES_V2_CONTEXT;
     $issuerid = new moodle_url('/badges/issuer_json.php');
     $issuer['id'] = $issuerid->out(false);