diff --git a/mod/glossary/classes/external.php b/mod/glossary/classes/external.php
index 245afcaafe7..e3150025f34 100644
--- a/mod/glossary/classes/external.php
+++ b/mod/glossary/classes/external.php
@@ -1412,7 +1412,7 @@ class mod_glossary_external extends external_api {
         return new external_function_parameters(array(
             'glossaryid' => new external_value(PARAM_INT, 'Glossary id'),
             'concept' => new external_value(PARAM_TEXT, 'Glossary concept'),
-            'definition' => new external_value(PARAM_TEXT, 'Glossary concept definition'),
+            'definition' => new external_value(PARAM_RAW, 'Glossary concept definition'),
             'definitionformat' => new external_format_value('definition'),
             'options' => new external_multiple_structure (
                 new external_single_structure(
diff --git a/mod/glossary/tests/external_test.php b/mod/glossary/tests/external_test.php
index 34b2f82ecd3..60cf1e52273 100644
--- a/mod/glossary/tests/external_test.php
+++ b/mod/glossary/tests/external_test.php
@@ -1121,7 +1121,7 @@ class mod_glossary_external_testcase extends externallib_advanced_testcase {
 
         $this->setAdminUser();
         $concept = 'A concept';
-        $definition = 'A definition';
+        $definition = '<p>A definition</p>';
         $return = mod_glossary_external::add_entry($glossary->id, $concept, $definition, FORMAT_HTML);
         $return = external_api::clean_returnvalue(mod_glossary_external::add_entry_returns(), $return);