diff --git a/src/regionModels/thermalBaffleModels/noThermo/noThermo.C b/src/regionModels/thermalBaffleModels/noThermo/noThermo.C
index e0511f226a..e5205db4a6 100644
--- a/src/regionModels/thermalBaffleModels/noThermo/noThermo.C
+++ b/src/regionModels/thermalBaffleModels/noThermo/noThermo.C
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ const solidThermo& noThermo::thermo() const
     FatalErrorIn("const volScalarField& noThermo::T() const")
         << "T field not available for " << type()
         << abort(FatalError);
-    return reinterpret_cast<const solidThermo&>(null);
+    return *reinterpret_cast<const solidThermo*>(NULL);
 }