diff --git a/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/DHCPPacketType.java b/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/DHCPPacketType.java
index 2dad848586..c88b9073d1 100644
--- a/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/DHCPPacketType.java
+++ b/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/DHCPPacketType.java
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ public enum DHCPPacketType {
             break;
         }
 
-        return null;
+        return "";
     }
 
     public static DHCPPacketType getType(final int value) {