diff --git a/lib/grade/grade_item.php b/lib/grade/grade_item.php
index 8b3b02c78f2..7fa0ec88653 100644
--- a/lib/grade/grade_item.php
+++ b/lib/grade/grade_item.php
@@ -863,7 +863,7 @@ class grade_item extends grade_object {
      * @return object Grade_category
      */
     public function load_item_category() {
-        if (empty($this->category->id)) {
+        if (empty($this->item_category->id)) {
             $this->item_category = $this->get_item_category();
         }
         return $this->item_category;