diff --git a/lib/filelib.php b/lib/filelib.php
index 2826f55f448..78f45b237f2 100644
--- a/lib/filelib.php
+++ b/lib/filelib.php
@@ -3263,15 +3263,15 @@ function file_pluginfile($relativepath, $forcedownload) {
             }
         }
 
-        if ('publishstate' === 'public') {
+        if ($entry->publishstate === 'public') {
             if ($CFG->forcelogin) {
                 require_login();
             }
 
-        } else if ('publishstate' === 'site') {
+        } else if ($entry->publishstate === 'site') {
             require_login();
             //ok
-        } else if ('publishstate' === 'draft') {
+        } else if ($entry->publishstate === 'draft') {
             require_login();
             if ($USER->id != $entry->userid) {
                 send_file_not_found();