diff --git a/src/node_device/node_device_driver.c b/src/node_device/node_device_driver.c
index e565cc29ec..49f3cc166d 100644
--- a/src/node_device/node_device_driver.c
+++ b/src/node_device/node_device_driver.c
@@ -743,7 +743,7 @@ nodeDeviceGetMdevctlCommand(virNodeDeviceDef *def,
     case MDEVCTL_CMD_LAST:
     default:
         /* SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN */
-        break;
+        return NULL;
     }
 
     switch (cmd_type) {