diff --git a/src/pl/plperl/plperl.c b/src/pl/plperl/plperl.c
index 5595baaed5..e105603303 100644
--- a/src/pl/plperl/plperl.c
+++ b/src/pl/plperl/plperl.c
@@ -774,6 +774,7 @@ pp_require_safe(pTHX)
 		RETPUSHYES;
 
 	DIE(aTHX_ "Unable to load %s into plperl", name);
+	return NULL;				/* keep compiler quiet */
 }