diff --git a/src/foam/fields/Fields/Field/FieldFunctions.C b/src/foam/fields/Fields/Field/FieldFunctions.C
index f7f47f055..e5a2d883f 100644
--- a/src/foam/fields/Fields/Field/FieldFunctions.C
+++ b/src/foam/fields/Fields/Field/FieldFunctions.C
@@ -318,10 +318,7 @@ Type max(const UList<Type>& f)
     }
     else
     {
-        WarningIn("max(const UList<Type>&)")
-            << "empty field, returning zero" << endl;
-
-        return pTraits<Type>::zero;
+        return pTraits<Type>::min;
     }
 }
 
@@ -338,10 +335,7 @@ Type min(const UList<Type>& f)
     }
     else
     {
-        WarningIn("min(const UList<Type>&)")
-            << "empty field, returning zero" << endl;
-
-        return pTraits<Type>::zero;
+        return pTraits<Type>::max;
     }
 }