diff --git a/lib/Doctrine/ORM/EntityManagerInterface.php b/lib/Doctrine/ORM/EntityManagerInterface.php
index 3c1c580e9..c61e6973c 100644
--- a/lib/Doctrine/ORM/EntityManagerInterface.php
+++ b/lib/Doctrine/ORM/EntityManagerInterface.php
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ interface EntityManagerInterface extends ObjectManager
      * @param string $entityName The name of the entity type.
      * @param mixed  $identifier The entity identifier.
      *
-     * @return object The (partial) entity reference.
+     * @return object|null The (partial) entity reference.
      */
     public function getPartialReference($entityName, $identifier);