diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/primitiveEntry/primitiveEntry.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/primitiveEntry/primitiveEntry.C
index 0998353e9f..f9ae48969a 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/primitiveEntry/primitiveEntry.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/primitiveEntry/primitiveEntry.C
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ Foam::label Foam::primitiveEntry::startLineNumber() const
 
     if (tokens.size())
     {
-        tokens.first().lineNumber();
+        return tokens.first().lineNumber();
     }
 
     return -1;