diff --git a/shell/browser/api/electron_api_safe_storage.cc b/shell/browser/api/electron_api_safe_storage.cc
index 7b1b2c6a8d5fb..d0e3a73bcdb0d 100644
--- a/shell/browser/api/electron_api_safe_storage.cc
+++ b/shell/browser/api/electron_api_safe_storage.cc
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ std::string DecryptString(v8::Isolate* isolate, v8::Local<v8::Value> buffer) {
     if (!Browser::Get()->is_ready()) {
       gin_helper::ErrorThrower(isolate).ThrowError(
           "safeStorage cannot be used before app is ready");
-      return v8::Local<v8::Value>();
+      return "";
     }
     gin_helper::ErrorThrower(isolate).ThrowError(
         "Error while decrypting the ciphertext provided to "