diff --git a/mod/forum/lib.php b/mod/forum/lib.php
index d06d2bf376c..219f081e5ad 100644
--- a/mod/forum/lib.php
+++ b/mod/forum/lib.php
@@ -2784,7 +2784,12 @@ function forum_file_area_name($post) {
  * TODO document
  */
 function forum_file_area($post) {
-    return make_upload_directory( forum_file_area_name($post) );
+    $path = forum_file_area_name($post);
+    if ($path) {
+        return make_upload_directory($path);
+    } else {
+        return false;
+    }
 }
 
 /**