diff --git a/lib/moodlelib.php b/lib/moodlelib.php
index 72cad759d1e..a344c70dc48 100644
--- a/lib/moodlelib.php
+++ b/lib/moodlelib.php
@@ -3559,6 +3559,19 @@ function ismoving($courseid) {
 function fullname($user, $override=false) {
     global $CFG, $SESSION;
 
+    // Get all of the name fields.
+    $allnames = get_all_user_name_fields();
+    if ($CFG->debugdeveloper) {
+        foreach ($allnames as $allname) {
+            if (!array_key_exists($allname, $user)) {
+                // If all the user name fields are not set in the user object, then notify the programmer that it needs to be fixed.
+                debugging('You need to update your sql to include additional name fields in the user object.', DEBUG_DEVELOPER);
+                // Message has been sent, no point in sending the message multiple times.
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     if (!isset($user->firstname) and !isset($user->lastname)) {
         return '';
     }
@@ -3586,17 +3599,11 @@ function fullname($user, $override=false) {
         return get_string('fullnamedisplay', null, $user);
     }
 
-    // Get all of the name fields.
-    $allnames = get_all_user_name_fields();
     $requirednames = array();
     // With each name, see if it is in the display name template, and add it to the required names array if it is.
     foreach ($allnames as $allname) {
         if (strpos($template, $allname) !== false) {
             $requirednames[] = $allname;
-            // If the field is in the template but not set in the user object then notify the programmer that it needs to be fixed.
-            if (!array_key_exists($allname, $user)) {
-                debugging('You need to update your sql to include additional name fields in the user object.', DEBUG_DEVELOPER);
-            }
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/lib/tests/moodlelib_test.php b/lib/tests/moodlelib_test.php
index 4ef9da68073..ed648c00bec 100644
--- a/lib/tests/moodlelib_test.php
+++ b/lib/tests/moodlelib_test.php
@@ -2375,6 +2375,16 @@ class core_moodlelib_testcase extends advanced_testcase {
             $this->assertSame($expectedname, $testname);
         }
 
+        // Test debugging message displays when
+        // fullnamedisplay setting is "normal".
+        $CFG->fullnamedisplay = 'firstname lastname';
+        unset($user);
+        $user = new stdClass();
+        $user->firstname = 'Stan';
+        $user->lastname = 'Lee';
+        $namedisplay = fullname($user);
+        $this->assertDebuggingCalled();
+
         // Tidy up after we finish testing.
         $CFG->fullnamedisplay = $originalcfg->fullnamedisplay;
     }
diff --git a/mod/forum/externallib.php b/mod/forum/externallib.php
index 955bd62ad79..bbd9ccf10e4 100644
--- a/mod/forum/externallib.php
+++ b/mod/forum/externallib.php
@@ -240,10 +240,11 @@ class mod_forum_external extends external_api {
                     if ($forum->type == 'qanda' && !forum_user_has_posted($discussion->forum, $discussion->id, $USER->id)) {
                         require_capability('mod/forum:viewqandawithoutposting', $modcontext);
                     }
+                    $usernamefields = user_picture::fields();
                     // If we don't have the users details then perform DB call.
                     if (empty($arrusers[$discussion->userid])) {
                         $arrusers[$discussion->userid] = $DB->get_record('user', array('id' => $discussion->userid),
-                            'firstname, lastname, email, picture, imagealt', MUST_EXIST);
+                                $usernamefields, MUST_EXIST);
                     }
                     // Get the subject.
                     $subject = $DB->get_field('forum_posts', 'subject', array('id' => $discussion->firstpost), MUST_EXIST);
@@ -284,7 +285,7 @@ class mod_forum_external extends external_api {
                     $lastpost = $DB->get_record('forum_posts', array('id' => $return->lastpost), '*', MUST_EXIST);
                     if (empty($arrusers[$lastpost->userid])) {
                         $arrusers[$lastpost->userid] = $DB->get_record('user', array('id' => $lastpost->userid),
-                            'firstname, lastname, email, picture, imagealt', MUST_EXIST);
+                                $usernamefields, MUST_EXIST);
                     }
                     $return->lastuserid = $lastpost->userid;
                     $return->lastuserfullname = fullname($arrusers[$lastpost->userid], $canviewfullname);