diff --git a/mod/glossary/print.php b/mod/glossary/print.php
index b1a47c11e7c..0ee85cc5d45 100644
--- a/mod/glossary/print.php
+++ b/mod/glossary/print.php
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@
             // Setting the pivot for the current entry
             $pivot = $entry->pivot;
             if ( !$fullpivot ) {
-                $pivot = $pivot[0];
+                $pivot = substr($pivot, 0, 1);
             }            
             
             // If there's  group break
diff --git a/mod/glossary/view.php b/mod/glossary/view.php
index 51619b63d11..ef2514c3361 100644
--- a/mod/glossary/view.php
+++ b/mod/glossary/view.php
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@
             /// Setting the pivot for the current entry
             $pivot = $entry->pivot;
             if ( !$fullpivot ) {
-                $pivot = $pivot[0];
+                $pivot = substr($pivot, 0, 1);
             }            
             
             /// if there's a group break