diff --git a/mod/survey/download.php b/mod/survey/download.php
index 276c7ef3885..e9f8eb648eb 100644
--- a/mod/survey/download.php
+++ b/mod/survey/download.php
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ if ($type == "ods") {
 /// Sending HTTP headers
     $workbook->send($downloadfilename);
 /// Creating the first worksheet
-    $myxls =& $workbook->add_worksheet(textlib::substr(strip_tags(format_string($survey->name,true)), 0, 31));
+    $myxls = $workbook->add_worksheet(textlib::substr(strip_tags(format_string($survey->name,true)), 0, 31));
 
     $header = array("surveyid","surveyname","userid","firstname","lastname","email","idnumber","time", "notes");
     $col=0;
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ if ($type == "xls") {
 /// Sending HTTP headers
     $workbook->send($downloadfilename);
 /// Creating the first worksheet
-    $myxls =& $workbook->add_worksheet(textlib::substr(strip_tags(format_string($survey->name,true)), 0, 31));
+    $myxls = $workbook->add_worksheet(textlib::substr(strip_tags(format_string($survey->name,true)), 0, 31));
 
     $header = array("surveyid","surveyname","userid","firstname","lastname","email","idnumber","time", "notes");
     $col=0;