diff --git a/mod/forum/classes/local/exporters/author.php b/mod/forum/classes/local/exporters/author.php
index 66f39dedc02..4ef65200fcc 100644
--- a/mod/forum/classes/local/exporters/author.php
+++ b/mod/forum/classes/local/exporters/author.php
@@ -163,12 +163,8 @@ class author extends exporter {
                 ];
             } else {
                 $groups = array_map(function($group) use ($urlfactory, $context, $output) {
-                    $imageurl = null;
                     $groupurl = null;
-
-                    if (!$group->hidepicture) {
-                        $imageurl = get_group_picture_url($group, $group->courseid, true);
-                    }
+                    $imageurl = get_group_picture_url($group, $group->courseid, true);
 
                     if (course_can_view_participants($context)) {
                         $groupurl = $urlfactory->get_author_group_url($group);
diff --git a/mod/forum/classes/local/exporters/discussion.php b/mod/forum/classes/local/exporters/discussion.php
index ede9dc1fd48..38cf2268089 100644
--- a/mod/forum/classes/local/exporters/discussion.php
+++ b/mod/forum/classes/local/exporters/discussion.php
@@ -179,8 +179,7 @@ class discussion extends exporter {
                 ];
 
                 // If not hiding the group picture, and the group has a picture then use it. Fallback to generic group image.
-                if (!$group->hidepicture &&
-                        ($url = get_group_picture_url($group, $forum->get_course_id(), true))) {
+                if ($url = get_group_picture_url($group, $forum->get_course_id(), true)) {
 
                     $groupdata['urls']['picture'] = $url;
                 } else {