diff --git a/PROMS/VEPROMS.CSLA.Library/Extension/DocVersionExt.cs b/PROMS/VEPROMS.CSLA.Library/Extension/DocVersionExt.cs
index 39357cef..a776f326 100644
--- a/PROMS/VEPROMS.CSLA.Library/Extension/DocVersionExt.cs
+++ b/PROMS/VEPROMS.CSLA.Library/Extension/DocVersionExt.cs
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ namespace VEPROMS.CSLA.Library
 			// in the specified string
 			string retvalu = "";
 			string asis = "#";
-			if (str == null || str.Equals(string.Empty)) return null;
+			if (str == null || str.Equals(string.Empty)) return retvalu; // return a null (empty) string
 			/*
 			 * Bug fix: B2005-017 3/2/2005
 			 * Need to use the largest procedure number length that's in the