diff --git a/crates/oxc_linter/src/lib.rs b/crates/oxc_linter/src/lib.rs
index a13609d413452..3011ca0a09511 100644
--- a/crates/oxc_linter/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/oxc_linter/src/lib.rs
@@ -232,8 +232,8 @@ impl Linter {
             return;
         }
 
-        // TODO: Error or `unwrap` instead of `return`?
-        let Some(external_linter) = &self.external_linter else { return };
+        // `external_linter` always exists when `oxlint2` feature is enabled
+        let external_linter = self.external_linter.as_ref().unwrap();
 
         let result = (external_linter.run)(
             path.to_str().unwrap().to_string(),