diff --git a/grade/report/user/renderer.php b/grade/report/user/renderer.php
index da973ee45f5..3e59981b618 100644
--- a/grade/report/user/renderer.php
+++ b/grade/report/user/renderer.php
@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ class gradereport_user_renderer extends plugin_renderer_base {
 
         $navigationdata = [];
 
+        $users = [];
         while ($userdata = $gui->next_user()) {
             $users[$userdata->user->id] = $userdata->user;
         }
@@ -153,6 +154,11 @@ class gradereport_user_renderer extends plugin_renderer_base {
         $arraykeys = array_keys($users);
         $keynumber = array_search($userid, $arraykeys);
 
+        // Without a valid user or users list, there's nothing to render.
+        if ($keynumber === false) {
+            return '';
+        }
+
         // Determine directionality so that icons can be modified to suit language.
         $previousarrow = right_to_left() ? 'right' : 'left';
         $nextarrow = right_to_left() ? 'left' : 'right';