diff --git a/python/lammps/core.py b/python/lammps/core.py
index d981243503..c4639eee4f 100644
--- a/python/lammps/core.py
+++ b/python/lammps/core.py
@@ -1790,7 +1790,6 @@ class lammps(object):
 
     with ExceptionCheck(self):
       return self.lib.lammps_fix_external_get_force(self.lmp, fix_id.encode())
-    return None
 
   # -------------------------------------------------------------------------