diff --git a/system/database/DB_query_builder.php b/system/database/DB_query_builder.php
index e5ffef2..a77ed57 100644
--- a/system/database/DB_query_builder.php
+++ b/system/database/DB_query_builder.php
@@ -925,6 +925,9 @@
 				? $this->_group_get_type('') : $this->_group_get_type($type);
 
 			$v = $this->escape_like_str($v);
+			
+			// lowercase $side for in case of UPPERCASE string
+			$side = strtolower($side);
 
 			if ($side === 'none')
 			{