diff --git a/src/Illuminate/Auth/Access/Gate.php b/src/Illuminate/Auth/Access/Gate.php
index dfc72cf02ac7..90e380b3567e 100644
--- a/src/Illuminate/Auth/Access/Gate.php
+++ b/src/Illuminate/Auth/Access/Gate.php
@@ -296,9 +296,7 @@ public function authorize($ability, $arguments = [])
      */
     protected function raw($ability, $arguments = [])
     {
-        if (! $user = $this->resolveUser()) {
-            return false;
-        }
+        $user = $this->resolveUser();
 
         $arguments = Arr::wrap($arguments);