diff --git a/src/item_location.cpp b/src/item_location.cpp
index c2ed35a9eb217..e8028f775aa2f 100644
--- a/src/item_location.cpp
+++ b/src/item_location.cpp
@@ -676,7 +676,8 @@ item_location item_location::parent_item() const
     if( where() == type::container ) {
         return ptr->parent_item();
     }
-    return *this;
+    debugmsg( "this item location type has no parent" );
+    return item_location::nowhere;
 }
 
 item_location::type item_location::where() const