diff --git a/erpnext/payroll/doctype/payroll_entry/payroll_entry.py b/erpnext/payroll/doctype/payroll_entry/payroll_entry.py
index 3953b463f12..7a70679db47 100644
--- a/erpnext/payroll/doctype/payroll_entry/payroll_entry.py
+++ b/erpnext/payroll/doctype/payroll_entry/payroll_entry.py
@@ -665,6 +665,8 @@ def get_employee_list(filters):
 		emp_list = remove_payrolled_employees(emp_list, filters.start_date, filters.end_date)
 		return emp_list
 
+	return []
+
 @frappe.whitelist()
 @frappe.validate_and_sanitize_search_inputs
 def employee_query(doctype, txt, searchfield, start, page_len, filters):