diff --git a/src/passes/2-simplify/cameligo.ml b/src/passes/2-simplify/cameligo.ml
index 2725bf952..e3fa702a4 100644
--- a/src/passes/2-simplify/cameligo.ml
+++ b/src/passes/2-simplify/cameligo.ml
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ let rec simpl_type_expression : Raw.type_expr -> type_expression result = fun te
 
 and simpl_list_type_expression (lst:Raw.type_expr list) : type_expression result =
   match lst with
-  | [] -> assert false
+  | [] -> ok @@ t_unit
   | [hd] -> simpl_type_expression hd
   | lst ->
       let%bind lst = bind_map_list simpl_type_expression lst in