diff --git a/core/types/transaction_signing.go b/core/types/transaction_signing.go
index 63132048ee..222d8ebbf2 100644
--- a/core/types/transaction_signing.go
+++ b/core/types/transaction_signing.go
@@ -39,8 +39,7 @@ type sigCache struct {
 }
 
 // MakeSigner returns a Signer based on the given chain config and block number.
-func MakeSigner(config *params.ChainConfig, blockNumber *big.Int) Signer {
-	var signer Signer
+func MakeSigner(config *params.ChainConfig, blockNumber *big.Int) (signer Signer) {
 	switch {
 	case config.IsEIP155(blockNumber):
 		signer = NewEIP155Signer(config.ChainID)
@@ -49,7 +48,7 @@ func MakeSigner(config *params.ChainConfig, blockNumber *big.Int) Signer {
 	default:
 		signer = FrontierSigner{}
 	}
-	return signer
+	return
 }
 
 // SignTx signs the transaction using the given signer and private key