diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/open_ended_module.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/open_ended_module.py
index 96d75b366c..0b546482f4 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/open_ended_module.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/open_ended_module.py
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ class OpenEndedModule(openendedchild.OpenEndedChild):
         self.answer = find_with_default(oeparam, 'answer_display', 'No answer given.')
 
         parsed_grader_payload.update({
-            'location': system.location.url(),
+            'location': self.location_string,
             'course_id': system.course_id,
             'prompt': prompt_string,
             'rubric': rubric_string,
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ class OpenEndedModule(openendedchild.OpenEndedChild):
         """
 
         event_info = dict()
-        event_info['problem_id'] = system.location.url()
+        event_info['problem_id'] = self.location_string
         event_info['student_id'] = system.anonymous_student_id
         event_info['survey_responses'] = get
 
diff --git a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/openendedchild.py b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/openendedchild.py
index dd8fa2a54e..01ccf4c7ac 100644
--- a/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/openendedchild.py
+++ b/common/lib/xmodule/xmodule/open_ended_grading_classes/openendedchild.py
@@ -108,6 +108,12 @@ class OpenEndedChild(object):
         self.peer_gs = PeerGradingService(system.open_ended_grading_interface, system)
 
         self.system = system
+        self.location_string = location
+        try:
+            self.location_string = self.location_string.url()
+        except:
+            pass
+
         self.setup_response(system, location, definition, descriptor)
 
     def setup_response(self, system, location, definition, descriptor):
@@ -418,7 +424,8 @@ class OpenEndedChild(object):
         return success, string
 
     def check_if_student_can_submit(self):
-        location = self.system.location.url()
+        location = self.location_string
+
         student_id = self.system.anonymous_student_id
         success = False
         allowed_to_submit = True