CI 1.6 >> Error when trying to decode using Encrypt library in PHP4.4.7

[eluser]stevepaperjam[/eluser]
Putting my rubbish track record in bug reporting to one side for a moment, I've had a error in CI 1.6 (rev.941) in the Encrypt library.

I'm getting the error Call to a member function on a non-object in (...)libraries/Encrypt.php in my logs under PHP4.4.7 when trying to decode a string.

If I flip to PHP5.2.3 all's well.

I made the following change to Encrypt.php's decode function (line 142 onwards):

Code:

$key = $this->get_key($key);
$this->CI =& get_instance(); // new line here
$this->CI->load->library('validation');

...and this worked for me, but it might not be getting at the root of the problem. Can any PHP4ers out there confirm this bug and fix?