diff --git a/src/server/services/wms/qgswmsparameters.cpp b/src/server/services/wms/qgswmsparameters.cpp
index ea1eb3dd515..4ff113fd9cc 100644
--- a/src/server/services/wms/qgswmsparameters.cpp
+++ b/src/server/services/wms/qgswmsparameters.cpp
@@ -1360,7 +1360,7 @@ namespace QgsWms
 
   QStringList QgsWmsParameters::highlightLabelString() const
   {
-    return mWmsParameters.value( QgsWmsParameter::HIGHLIGHT_LABELSTRING ).toStringList( ';' );
+    return mWmsParameters.value( QgsWmsParameter::HIGHLIGHT_LABELSTRING ).toStringList( ';', false );
   }
 
   QStringList QgsWmsParameters::highlightLabelSize() const