diff --git a/include/pybind11/cast.h b/include/pybind11/cast.h
index e41ad2abf..0f3091f68 100644
--- a/include/pybind11/cast.h
+++ b/include/pybind11/cast.h
@@ -794,11 +794,11 @@ protected:
         }
     }
 
-    bool load_value(value_and_holder &&v_h) {
+    void load_value(value_and_holder &&v_h) {
         if (v_h.holder_constructed()) {
             value = v_h.value_ptr();
             holder = v_h.template holder<holder_type>();
-            return true;
+            return;
         }
         throw cast_error("Unable to cast from non-held to held instance (T& to Holder<T>) "
 #if !defined(PYBIND11_DETAILED_ERROR_MESSAGES)