diff --git a/system/database/drivers/odbc/odbc_driver.php b/system/database/drivers/odbc/odbc_driver.php
index 7c59c30..985c975 100644
--- a/system/database/drivers/odbc/odbc_driver.php
+++ b/system/database/drivers/odbc/odbc_driver.php
@@ -242,8 +242,11 @@
 	 */
 	function escape_str($str)	
 	{
+		// Access the CI object
+		$CI->get_instance();
+
 		// ODBC doesn't require escaping
-		return $this->input->CI->_remove_invisible_characters($str);
+		return $CI->_remove_invisible_characters($str);
 	}
 	
 	// --------------------------------------------------------------------