diff --git a/ush/python/pygfs/task/atm_analysis.py b/ush/python/pygfs/task/atm_analysis.py
index 01b3d0eceb..a5919502e3 100644
--- a/ush/python/pygfs/task/atm_analysis.py
+++ b/ush/python/pygfs/task/atm_analysis.py
@@ -310,6 +310,7 @@ def _get_berror_dict_identity(config: Dict[str, Any]) -> Dict[str, List[str]]:
 
         """
         logger.info(f"Identity background error does not use staged files.  Return empty dictionary")
+        return {}
 
     @staticmethod
     @logit(logger)