PHP 5.0.3 E_STRICT question - returning NULL from reference returning function

What is the proper way to return a NULL condition from a method that
returns a reference?

function &testfunc()
{
return NULL;
}

generates:

"Strict Standards: Only variable references should be returned by
reference in ..."

Is the correct approach to do something like:

function &testfunc()
{
$nullVar = NULL;
return $nullVar;
}

??

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