diff --git a/news/6273.bugfix b/news/6273.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6caa1e8e5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/6273.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fix error in `SortOn` component when no sort is selected. @davisagli
diff --git a/src/components/manage/Blocks/Search/components/SortOn.jsx b/src/components/manage/Blocks/Search/components/SortOn.jsx
index 54a0730e6f..08d268969b 100644
--- a/src/components/manage/Blocks/Search/components/SortOn.jsx
+++ b/src/components/manage/Blocks/Search/components/SortOn.jsx
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ const SortOn = (props) => {
 
   const showSelectField = sortOnOptions.length > 1;
   if (!showSelectField && !activeSortOn) {
-    return;
+    return null;
   }
   const value = {
     value: activeSortOn || intl.formatMessage(messages.noSelection),