diff --git a/nifi-nar-bundles/nifi-smb-bundle/nifi-smb-processors/src/main/java/org/apache/nifi/processors/smb/PutSmbFile.java b/nifi-nar-bundles/nifi-smb-bundle/nifi-smb-processors/src/main/java/org/apache/nifi/processors/smb/PutSmbFile.java
index 2accbbf499..6c6821fca4 100644
--- a/nifi-nar-bundles/nifi-smb-bundle/nifi-smb-processors/src/main/java/org/apache/nifi/processors/smb/PutSmbFile.java
+++ b/nifi-nar-bundles/nifi-smb-bundle/nifi-smb-processors/src/main/java/org/apache/nifi/processors/smb/PutSmbFile.java
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ public class PutSmbFile extends AbstractProcessor {
 
     @Override
     protected Collection<ValidationResult> customValidate(ValidationContext validationContext) {
-        Collection<ValidationResult> set = Collections.emptySet();
+        Collection<ValidationResult> set = new ArrayList<>();
         if (validationContext.getProperty(USERNAME).isSet() && !validationContext.getProperty(PASSWORD).isSet()) {
             set.add(new ValidationResult.Builder().explanation("Password must be set if username is supplied.").build());
         }