diff --git a/ext/ban_words/main.php b/ext/ban_words/main.php
index c9256a58..86463306 100644
--- a/ext/ban_words/main.php
+++ b/ext/ban_words/main.php
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ xanax
 	}
 
 	public function onCommentPosting(CommentPostingEvent $event) {
+		global $user;
 		if(!$user->can("bypass_comment_checks")) {
 			$this->test_text($event->comment, new CommentPostingException("Comment contains banned terms"));
 		}