diff --git a/lib/bcoin/bst.js b/lib/bcoin/bst.js
index 0d3d1d25..da6a8a31 100644
--- a/lib/bcoin/bst.js
+++ b/lib/bcoin/bst.js
@@ -507,11 +507,11 @@ BST.prototype.iterator = function iterator(options) {
 /**
  * Get a database property (leveldown method) (NOP).
  * @param {String} name - Property name.
- * @returns {String?}
+ * @returns {String}
  */
 
 BST.prototype.getProperty = function getProperty(name) {
-  return null;
+  return '';
 };
 
 /**
diff --git a/lib/bcoin/lowlevelup.js b/lib/bcoin/lowlevelup.js
index c4d70b7c..68b1a150 100644
--- a/lib/bcoin/lowlevelup.js
+++ b/lib/bcoin/lowlevelup.js
@@ -164,14 +164,14 @@ LowlevelUp.prototype.iterator = function iterator(options) {
 /**
  * Get a database property.
  * @param {String} name - Property name.
- * @returns {String?}
+ * @returns {String}
  */
 
 LowlevelUp.prototype.getProperty = function getProperty(name) {
   assert(this.loaded, 'Cannot use database before it is loaded.');
 
   if (!this.binding.getProperty)
-    return null;
+    return '';
 
   return this.binding.getProperty(name);
 };