diff --git a/packages/terra-navigation-side-menu/src/NavigationSideMenu.jsx b/packages/terra-navigation-side-menu/src/NavigationSideMenu.jsx
index d55f145f3c..211c8cda65 100644
--- a/packages/terra-navigation-side-menu/src/NavigationSideMenu.jsx
+++ b/packages/terra-navigation-side-menu/src/NavigationSideMenu.jsx
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ class NavigationSideMenu extends Component {
     }
 
     if (this.props.variant !== 'drill-in' && key === 'empty-child-key') {
-      return;
+      return null;
     }
 
     return (