diff --git a/examples/cpp/xtypes/PublisherApp.cpp b/examples/cpp/xtypes/PublisherApp.cpp
index b4ac99fced6..52c4006b42c 100644
--- a/examples/cpp/xtypes/PublisherApp.cpp
+++ b/examples/cpp/xtypes/PublisherApp.cpp
@@ -242,6 +242,7 @@ DynamicType::_ref_type PublisherApp::create_type(
         {
             std::cout <<
                 "Error getting dynamic type \"HelloWorld\"." << std::endl;
+            return nullptr;
         }
     }
     else