--- a/instrumentation/metrics_library/traits/kernel_interface/linux/ml_io_control.h
+++ b/instrumentation/metrics_library/traits/kernel_interface/linux/ml_io_control.h
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@
             if( fstat( m_DrmFile, &fileInfo ) )
             {
                 log.Error( "Failed to stat drm file descriptor" );
-                return nullptr;
+                return {};
             }
 
             const int32_t majorNumber = major( fileInfo.st_rdev );