diff --git a/src/engine/Account.c b/src/engine/Account.c
index a0e2dbc9ea..ed56e15297 100644
--- a/src/engine/Account.c
+++ b/src/engine/Account.c
@@ -757,7 +757,7 @@ xaccAccountGetNotes (Account *acc)
 double
 xaccAccountGetBalance (Account *acc)
 {
-   if (!acc) return NULL;
+   if (!acc) return 0.0;
    return (acc->balance);
 }