diff --git a/Modules/_sre.c b/Modules/_sre.c
index 9943c3016e2..d6f39a4ca09 100644
--- a/Modules/_sre.c
+++ b/Modules/_sre.c
@@ -1140,8 +1140,7 @@ SRE_MATCH(SRE_STATE* state, SRE_CODE* pattern, int level)
         }
     }
 
-    /* shouldn't end up here */
-    return SRE_ERROR_ILLEGAL;
+    /* can't end up here */
 }
 
 LOCAL(int)