diff --git a/class.phpmailer.php b/class.phpmailer.php
index 12a95875..f498e3b8 100644
--- a/class.phpmailer.php
+++ b/class.phpmailer.php
@@ -2711,7 +2711,10 @@ class PHPMailer
             if (!self::isPermittedPath($path) or !file_exists($path)) {
                 throw new phpmailerException($this->lang('file_open') . $path, self::STOP_CONTINUE);
             }
-            $magic_quotes = get_magic_quotes_runtime();
+            $magic_quotes = false;
+            if( version_compare(PHP_VERSION, '7.4.0', '<') ) {
+                $magic_quotes = get_magic_quotes_runtime();
+            }
             if ($magic_quotes) {
                 if (version_compare(PHP_VERSION, '5.3.0', '<')) {
                     set_magic_quotes_runtime(false);