diff --git a/index.php b/index.php
index 7167e9aeb260b..0c9e490d2ac35 100644
--- a/index.php
+++ b/index.php
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@
         $context = context_course::instance(SITEID);
 
         // If the section name is set we show it.
-        if (!is_null($section->name)) {
+        if (trim($section->name) !== '') {
             echo $OUTPUT->heading(
                 format_string($section->name, true, array('context' => $context)),
                 2,