diff --git a/stepmania/src/RageSoundReader_FileReader.cpp b/stepmania/src/RageSoundReader_FileReader.cpp
index f288825de2..bdcb1599a1 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/RageSoundReader_FileReader.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/RageSoundReader_FileReader.cpp
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ RageSoundReader_FileReader *RageSoundReader_FileReader::TryOpenFile( RString fil
 	{
 		error = ssprintf( "Couldn't open file: %s", file.GetError().c_str() );
 		bKeepTrying = false;
+		return NULL;
 	}
 
 	OpenResult ret = Sample->Open( file.Copy() );