diff --git a/frontend/src/api/index.js b/frontend/src/api/index.js
index 30427dd..91c282f 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api/index.js
+++ b/frontend/src/api/index.js
@@ -34,8 +34,7 @@ export const fetchSubregions = async (regionId, hierarchyId) => {
   try {
     const response = await api.get(`/api/regions/${regionId}/subregions`, { params: { hierarchyId } });
     if (response.status === 204) {
-      // TODO return empty array instead of null, Issue #189
-      return null;
+      return [];
     }
     return response.data;
   } catch (error) {
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/RegionMap.jsx b/frontend/src/components/RegionMap.jsx
index b1f0e5e..4382b69 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/RegionMap.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/RegionMap.jsx
@@ -64,9 +64,6 @@ function MapComponent() {
       // If region has subregions, fetch the subregions
       if (selectedRegion.hasSubregions) {
         const subregions = await fetchSubregions(selectedRegion.id, selectedHierarchy.hierarchyId);
-        if (subregions === null) {
-          return [];
-        }
         return subregions;
       }
       // If region does not have subregions, fetch the siblings