diff --git a/cache/classes/config.php b/cache/classes/config.php
index 53d0f1e178e..021e2a69dd9 100644
--- a/cache/classes/config.php
+++ b/cache/classes/config.php
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ class cache_config {
      * @throws cache_exception
      */
     protected function include_configuration() {
-        $configuration = array();
+        $configuration = null;
         // We need to allow for late static bindings to allow for class path mudling happending for unit tests.
         $cachefile = static::get_config_file_path();
 
@@ -594,4 +594,4 @@ class cache_config {
         }
         throw new cache_exception('ex_nodefaultlock');
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}