diff --git a/src/magic.cpp b/src/magic.cpp
index 950efa6852260..a1a1dffcf8b8f 100644
--- a/src/magic.cpp
+++ b/src/magic.cpp
@@ -980,7 +980,7 @@ std::string spell::colorized_fail_percent( const Character &guy ) const
 
 spell_shape spell::shape() const
 {
-    type->spell_area;
+    return type->spell_area;
 }
 
 int spell::xp() const