diff --git a/library/includes/functions.php b/library/includes/functions.php
index 38db141cd..7e7f2f26d 100644
--- a/library/includes/functions.php
+++ b/library/includes/functions.php
@@ -1613,7 +1613,7 @@ function get_topic_title($topic_id)
 function forum_exists($forum_id = null): bool
 {
     if (!isset($forum_id)) {
-        return (bool)DB()->fetch_row("SELECT * FROM " . BB_FORUMS . " LIMIT 1");
+        return (bool)DB()->fetch_row("SELECT 1 FROM " . BB_FORUMS . " LIMIT 1");
     }
 
     return (bool)DB()->fetch_row("SELECT forum_id FROM " . BB_FORUMS . " WHERE forum_id = $forum_id LIMIT 1");