diff --git a/lib/geocoder/stores/base.rb b/lib/geocoder/stores/base.rb
index a9d578f4f55ab521aa0074342f912bb694d9477f..4502f371c8ffd7b1750d5b8163d76c6ff9ee6b7b 100644
--- a/lib/geocoder/stores/base.rb
+++ b/lib/geocoder/stores/base.rb
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ module Geocoder
       # Takes the same options hash as the near class method (scope).
       #
       def nearbys(radius = 20, options = {})
-        return [] unless geocoded?
+        return nil unless geocoded?
         options.merge!(:exclude => self)
         self.class.near(self, radius, options)
       end