diff --git a/package/MDAnalysis/analysis/align.py b/package/MDAnalysis/analysis/align.py
index c6648522952..49ed05d681e 100644
--- a/package/MDAnalysis/analysis/align.py
+++ b/package/MDAnalysis/analysis/align.py
@@ -1368,6 +1368,7 @@ def get_atoms_byres(g, match_mask=np.logical_not(mismatch_mask)):
                         ag1.n_atoms, ag2.n_atoms)
             logger.error(errmsg)
             raise_from(SelectionError(errmsg), None)
+            pass
         except AttributeError:
             errmsg=("Failed to check the mass matches")
             raise_from(SelectionError(errmsg), None)