diff --git a/corrlib/meas_io.py b/corrlib/meas_io.py
index 731da66..cbd9386 100644
--- a/corrlib/meas_io.py
+++ b/corrlib/meas_io.py
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ def load_records(path: Path, meas_paths: list[str], preloaded: dict[str, Any] =
     """
     if dry_run:
         _check_db2paths(path, meas_paths)
-        return
+        return []
     needed_data: dict[str, list[str]] = {}
     for mpath in meas_paths:
         file = mpath.split("::")[0]