diff --git a/lib/moodlelib.php b/lib/moodlelib.php
index 388ded63c5d6a..167a653445d70 100644
--- a/lib/moodlelib.php
+++ b/lib/moodlelib.php
@@ -10431,17 +10431,12 @@ function object_property_exists( $obj, $property ) {
  */
 function convert_to_array($var) {
     $result = array();
-    $references = array();
 
     // loop over elements/properties
     foreach ($var as $key => $value) {
         // recursively convert objects
         if (is_object($value) || is_array($value)) {
-            // but prevent cycles
-            if (!in_array($value, $references)) {
-                $result[$key] = convert_to_array($value);
-                $references[] = $value;
-            }
+            $result[$key] = convert_to_array($value);
         } else {
             // simple values are untouched
             $result[$key] = $value;