diff --git a/classes/local/step/reader_sql.php b/classes/local/step/reader_sql.php
index f637f266..1ddd28d6 100644
--- a/classes/local/step/reader_sql.php
+++ b/classes/local/step/reader_sql.php
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ class reader_sql extends reader_step {
      */
     public static function form_define_fields(): array {
         return [
-            'sql' => ['type' => PARAM_TEXT, 'required' => true],
+            // Must be PARAM_RAW to avoid clean_param mangling the sql.
+            'sql' => ['type' => PARAM_RAW, 'required' => true],
             'counterfield' => ['type' => PARAM_TEXT],
             'countervalue' => ['type' => PARAM_TEXT],
         ];
diff --git a/classes/local/step/sql_trait.php b/classes/local/step/sql_trait.php
index 438bcbf4..8e41869f 100644
--- a/classes/local/step/sql_trait.php
+++ b/classes/local/step/sql_trait.php
@@ -175,7 +175,8 @@ public function validate_config($config) {
      */
     public static function form_define_fields(): array {
         return [
-            'sql' => ['type' => PARAM_TEXT, 'required' => true],
+            // Must be PARAM_RAW to avoid clean_param mangling the sql.
+            'sql' => ['type' => PARAM_RAW, 'required' => true],
         ];
     }