diff --git a/src/xrc/xmlres.cpp b/src/xrc/xmlres.cpp
index 53dca74238..929b7a0002 100644
--- a/src/xrc/xmlres.cpp
+++ b/src/xrc/xmlres.cpp
@@ -1953,7 +1953,7 @@ wxBitmapBundle wxXmlResourceHandlerImpl::GetBitmapBundle(const wxString& param,
     if ( !node )
     {
         // this is not an error as bitmap parameter could be optional
-        return wxNullBitmap;
+        return wxBitmapBundle();
     }
 
     /* If the bitmap is specified as stock item, query wxArtProvider for it: */