diff --git a/phpBB/includes/functions.php b/phpBB/includes/functions.php
index b08fb669f4..130cba10d3 100644
--- a/phpBB/includes/functions.php
+++ b/phpBB/includes/functions.php
@@ -2996,7 +2996,7 @@ function msg_handler($errno, $msg_text, $errfile, $errline)
 
 			// Check the error reporting level and return if the error level does not match
 			// If DEBUG is defined the default level is E_ALL
-			if (($errno & ($phpbb_container->getParameter('debug.show_errors') ? E_ALL : error_reporting())) == 0)
+			if (($errno & ($phpbb_container != null && $phpbb_container->getParameter('debug.show_errors') ? E_ALL : error_reporting())) == 0)
 			{
 				return;
 			}