diff --git a/.changeset/strong-carrots-build.md b/.changeset/strong-carrots-build.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a845151cc8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/strong-carrots-build.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+---
+---
diff --git a/packages/nextjs/src/server/protect.ts b/packages/nextjs/src/server/protect.ts
index 7e17e37817..3f26166631 100644
--- a/packages/nextjs/src/server/protect.ts
+++ b/packages/nextjs/src/server/protect.ts
@@ -65,14 +65,16 @@ export function createProtect(opts: {
         // TODO: Handle runtime values. What happens if runtime values are set in middleware and in ClerkProvider as well?
         return redirectToSignIn();
       }
-      return notFound();
+      notFound();
+      return;
     };
 
     const handleUnauthorized = () => {
       if (unauthorizedUrl) {
         return redirect(unauthorizedUrl);
       }
-      return notFound();
+      notFound();
+      return;
     };
 
     /**