diff --git a/src/dynamicMesh/layerAdditionRemoval/layerAdditionRemoval.C b/src/dynamicMesh/layerAdditionRemoval/layerAdditionRemoval.C
index c90ad7e878..e2cc0d711b 100644
--- a/src/dynamicMesh/layerAdditionRemoval/layerAdditionRemoval.C
+++ b/src/dynamicMesh/layerAdditionRemoval/layerAdditionRemoval.C
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ Foam::scalar Foam::layerAdditionRemoval::readOldThickness
     const dictionary& dict
 )
 {
-    dict.lookupOrDefault("oldLayerThickness", -1.0);
+    return dict.lookupOrDefault("oldLayerThickness", -1.0);
 }