diff --git a/ale_linters/scala/metals.vim b/ale_linters/scala/metals.vim
index f78c7119..da9e855d 100644
--- a/ale_linters/scala/metals.vim
+++ b/ale_linters/scala/metals.vim
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ function! ale_linters#scala#metals#GetProjectRoot(buffer) abort
             \)
         endif
     endfor
+
+    return ''
 endfunction
 
 function! ale_linters#scala#metals#GetCommand(buffer) abort