diff --git a/src/backend/libpq/crypt.c b/src/backend/libpq/crypt.c
index 893ce6e967..e7dd212355 100644
--- a/src/backend/libpq/crypt.c
+++ b/src/backend/libpq/crypt.c
@@ -160,6 +160,7 @@ encrypt_password(PasswordType target_type, const char *role,
 	 * handle every combination of source and target password types.
 	 */
 	elog(ERROR, "cannot encrypt password to requested type");
+	return NULL;		/* keep compiler quiet */
 }
 
 /*