diff --git a/system/database/drivers/oci8/oci8_driver.php b/system/database/drivers/oci8/oci8_driver.php
index 82bc51b..96a6a13 100644
--- a/system/database/drivers/oci8/oci8_driver.php
+++ b/system/database/drivers/oci8/oci8_driver.php
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@
 	function escape_str($str)
 	{
 		// Access the CI object
-		$CI->get_instance();
+		$CI =& get_instance();
 
 		return $CI->_remove_invisible_characters($str);
 	}