diff --git a/src/Model/APContact.php b/src/Model/APContact.php
index 48e48ab1d..9442db00c 100644
--- a/src/Model/APContact.php
+++ b/src/Model/APContact.php
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ class APContact
 
 			if ($failed) {
 				self::markForArchival($fetched_contact ?: []);
-				return $fetched_contact;
+				return $fetched_contact ?? [];
 			}
 		}