diff --git a/src/joystick/SDL_gamepad.c b/src/joystick/SDL_gamepad.c
index 6574b66554..e7f55880c2 100644
--- a/src/joystick/SDL_gamepad.c
+++ b/src/joystick/SDL_gamepad.c
@@ -3750,10 +3750,11 @@ const char *SDL_GetGamepadAppleSFSymbolsNameForButton(SDL_Gamepad *gamepad, SDL_
     }
     SDL_UnlockJoysticks();
 
-    return retval;
-#else
-    return NULL;
+    if (retval && *retval) {
+        return retval;
+    }
 #endif
+    return NULL;
 }
 
 const char *SDL_GetGamepadAppleSFSymbolsNameForAxis(SDL_Gamepad *gamepad, SDL_GamepadAxis axis)