diff --git a/gramps/plugins/textreport/birthdayreport.py b/gramps/plugins/textreport/birthdayreport.py
index f62990668..fe14eadf2 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/textreport/birthdayreport.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/textreport/birthdayreport.py
@@ -271,6 +271,7 @@ class BirthdayReport(Report):
             for person_handle in people:
                 step()
                 person = self.database.get_person_from_handle(person_handle)
+                short_name = self.get_name(person)
                 birth_ref = person.get_birth_ref()
                 birth_date = None
                 if birth_ref: