diff --git a/src/meshTools/mappedPatches/mappedPolyPatch/mappedPatchBaseTemplates.C b/src/meshTools/mappedPatches/mappedPolyPatch/mappedPatchBaseTemplates.C
index a66e81a680..011f3fe178 100644
--- a/src/meshTools/mappedPatches/mappedPolyPatch/mappedPatchBaseTemplates.C
+++ b/src/meshTools/mappedPatches/mappedPolyPatch/mappedPatchBaseTemplates.C
@@ -98,6 +98,8 @@ Foam::mappedPatchBase::reverseDistribute(const Field<Type>& fld) const
                 << sampleModeNames_[NEARESTPATCHFACE] << " or "
                 << sampleModeNames_[NEARESTPATCHFACEAMI] << "mode"
                 << exit(FatalError);
+
+            return tmp<Field<Type>>(nullptr);
         }
     }
 }