diff --git a/src/aui/auibar.cpp b/src/aui/auibar.cpp
index b2b88c2210..fb62e30894 100644
--- a/src/aui/auibar.cpp
+++ b/src/aui/auibar.cpp
@@ -1664,8 +1664,9 @@ wxSize wxAuiToolBar::GetHintSize(int dock_direction) const
         case wxAUI_DOCK_LEFT:
             return m_vertHintSize;
         default:
-            wxCHECK_MSG(false, wxDefaultSize, "invalid dock location value");
+            wxFAIL_MSG("invalid dock location value");
     }
+    return wxDefaultSize;
 }
 
 bool wxAuiToolBar::IsPaneValid(const wxAuiPaneInfo& pane) const