diff --git a/mod/forum/lib.php b/mod/forum/lib.php
--- a/mod/forum/lib.php
+++ b/mod/forum/lib.php
@@ -6014,7 +6014,7 @@ function forum_tp_can_track_forums($forum=false, $user=false) {
     $forumallows = ($forum->trackingtype == FORUM_TRACKING_OPTIONAL);
     $forumforced = ($forum->trackingtype == FORUM_TRACKING_ON);
 
-    return ($forumforced || $forumallows)  && !empty($user->trackforums);
+    return ($forumforced || ($forumallows && !empty($user->trackforums)));
 }
 
 /**