diff --git a/libbeat/outputs/console/console.go b/libbeat/outputs/console/console.go
index 3a62c45c9e0..e149b83dbbb 100644
--- a/libbeat/outputs/console/console.go
+++ b/libbeat/outputs/console/console.go
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ func (c *console) PublishEvent(
 	}
 
 	op.SigCompleted(s)
+	return nil
 fail:
 	if opts.Guaranteed {
 		logp.Critical("Unable to publish events to console: %v", err)