diff --git a/system/database/drivers/oci8/oci8_driver.php b/system/database/drivers/oci8/oci8_driver.php
index 362da58..82bc51b 100644
--- a/system/database/drivers/oci8/oci8_driver.php
+++ b/system/database/drivers/oci8/oci8_driver.php
@@ -367,7 +367,10 @@
 	 */
 	function escape_str($str)
 	{
-		return $this->input->CI->_remove_invisible_characters($str);
+		// Access the CI object
+		$CI->get_instance();
+
+		return $CI->_remove_invisible_characters($str);
 	}
 
 	// --------------------------------------------------------------------