diff --git a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/intent/impl/compiler/PathIntentCompiler.java b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/intent/impl/compiler/PathIntentCompiler.java
index c7040a5..cb49699 100644
--- a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/intent/impl/compiler/PathIntentCompiler.java
+++ b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/intent/impl/compiler/PathIntentCompiler.java
@@ -99,14 +99,13 @@
         // TODO: implement recompile behavior
 
         List<Link> links = intent.path().links();
-        List<FlowRule> rules = new LinkedList<>();
 
         Optional<EncapsulationConstraint> encapConstraint = intent.constraints().stream()
                 .filter(constraint -> constraint instanceof EncapsulationConstraint)
                 .map(x -> (EncapsulationConstraint) x).findAny();
         //if no encapsulation or is involved only a single switch use the default behaviour
         if (!encapConstraint.isPresent() || links.size() == 1) {
-
+            List<FlowRule> rules = new LinkedList<>();
             for (int i = 0; i < links.size() - 1; i++) {
                 ConnectPoint ingress = links.get(i).dst();
                 ConnectPoint egress = links.get(i + 1).src();
@@ -119,6 +118,7 @@
             return ImmutableList.of(new FlowRuleIntent(appId, null, rules, intent.resources()));
         }
 
+        List<FlowRule> rules = Collections.emptyList();
         if (EncapsulationType.VLAN == encapConstraint.get().encapType()) {
             rules = manageVlanEncap(intent);
         } else if (EncapsulationType.MPLS == encapConstraint.get().encapType()) {