diff --git a/src/perl/common/Settings.xs b/src/perl/common/Settings.xs
index 5ba14ab0..971b51ee 100644
--- a/src/perl/common/Settings.xs
+++ b/src/perl/common/Settings.xs
@@ -74,12 +74,9 @@ settings_get_str(key)
 CODE:
 	const char *str;
 
-	RETVAL = Nullsv;
 	str = settings_get_str(key);
-	if (str != NULL) {
-		RETVAL = newSVpv(str, 0);
-		SvUTF8_on(RETVAL);
-	}
+	RETVAL = new_pv(str);
+	SvUTF8_on(RETVAL);
 OUTPUT:
 	RETVAL