diff --git a/lib/phpunit/tests/basic_test.php b/lib/phpunit/tests/basic_test.php
index 3c3c2a02690..a80950adaf6 100644
--- a/lib/phpunit/tests/basic_test.php
+++ b/lib/phpunit/tests/basic_test.php
@@ -150,9 +150,10 @@ STRING;
      */
     public function test_set_navigation_url(): void {
         \navigation_node::override_active_url(new \moodle_url('/foo/bar/baz'));
-        $this->assertNotNull(
-            (new \ReflectionClass(\navigation_node::class))->getStaticPropertyValue('fullmeurl', null)
-        );
+        $property = new \ReflectionProperty(\navigation_node::class, 'fullmeurl');
+        $property->setAccessible(true);
+
+        $this->assertNotNull($property->getValue());
     }
 
     /**
@@ -161,9 +162,10 @@ STRING;
      * @depends test_set_navigation_url
      */
     public function test_navigation_url_reset(): void {
-        $this->assertNull(
-            (new \ReflectionClass(\navigation_node::class))->getStaticPropertyValue('fullmeurl', null)
-        );
+        $property = new \ReflectionProperty(\navigation_node::class, 'fullmeurl');
+        $property->setAccessible(true);
+
+        $this->assertNull($property->getValue());
     }
 
     // Uncomment following tests to see logging of unexpected changes in global state and database.