"search by various criteria" blank

after an update to the latest server version, the "search by various criteria" page just returns a blank page

and this appears in the apache logs

PHP Fatal error:  Can't use method return value in write context in /usr/share/ocsinventory-reports/ocsreports/require/search/TranslationSearch.php on line 224

server details

PHP 5.4.16 (cli) (built: Apr 12 2018 19:02:01)
Copyright (c) 1997-2013 The PHP Group
Zend Engine v2.4.0, Copyright (c) 1998-2013 Zend Technologies

CentOS Linux release 7.5.1804 (Core)