diff --git a/src/wp-includes/user.php b/src/wp-includes/user.php
index 566702f4fc..d309e2f0a7 100644
--- a/src/wp-includes/user.php
+++ b/src/wp-includes/user.php
@@ -3509,7 +3509,7 @@ function wp_validate_user_request_key( $request_id, $key ) {
 	}
 
 	if ( ! $expiration_time || time() > $expiration_time ) {
-		$return = new WP_Error( 'expired_key', __( 'The confirmation email has expired.' ) );
+		return new WP_Error( 'expired_key', __( 'The confirmation email has expired.' ) );
 	}
 
 	return true;