diff --git a/compiler/fir/checkers/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/fir/analysis/checkers/FirUpperBoundViolatedHelpers.kt b/compiler/fir/checkers/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/fir/analysis/checkers/FirUpperBoundViolatedHelpers.kt
index ed3423d641c..39876d444c5 100644
--- a/compiler/fir/checkers/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/fir/analysis/checkers/FirUpperBoundViolatedHelpers.kt
+++ b/compiler/fir/checkers/src/org/jetbrains/kotlin/fir/analysis/checkers/FirUpperBoundViolatedHelpers.kt
@@ -129,17 +129,9 @@ private class FE10LikeConeSubstitutor(
 }
 
 private class OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute(val data: ConeTypeProjection) : ConeAttribute<OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute>() {
-    override fun union(other: OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute?): OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute? {
-        return other
-    }
-
-    override fun intersect(other: OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute?): OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute? {
-        return other
-    }
-
-    override fun add(other: OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute?): OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute? {
-        return other
-    }
+    override fun union(other: OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute?): OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute = other ?: this
+    override fun intersect(other: OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute?): OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute = other ?: this
+    override fun add(other: OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute?): OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute = other ?: this
 
     override fun isSubtypeOf(other: OriginalProjectionTypeAttribute?): Boolean {
         return true