diff --git a/clients/common/nm-meta-setting-desc.c b/clients/common/nm-meta-setting-desc.c
index cdb3084a07..0c71ec641a 100644
--- a/clients/common/nm-meta-setting-desc.c
+++ b/clients/common/nm-meta-setting-desc.c
@@ -862,7 +862,7 @@ _get_fcn_gobject_impl(const NMMetaPropertyInfo *property_info,
              * signal them differently. */
             cstr = g_value_get_string(&val);
             nm_assert((!!is_default) == (cstr == NULL));
-            RETURN_STR_EMPTYUNSET(get_type, is_default, NULL);
+            RETURN_STR_EMPTYUNSET(get_type, is_default, cstr);
         }
     }