diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tools/data/__init__.py b/lib/galaxy/tools/data/__init__.py
index 5d1ccd99f9e..c94e05ce7b4 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/tools/data/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tools/data/__init__.py
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ class TabularToolDataTable( ToolDataTable ):
         return_col = self.columns.get( return_attr, None )
         if not return_col:
             return None
-
+        rval = None
         # Look for table entry.
         for fields in self.data:
             if fields[ query_col ] == query_val: