diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/kafka/javaapi/Implicits.scala b/core/src/main/scala/kafka/javaapi/Implicits.scala
index cf82b38..ee0a71d 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/kafka/javaapi/Implicits.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/kafka/javaapi/Implicits.scala
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ private[javaapi] object Implicits extends Logging {
   implicit def optionToJavaRef[T](opt: Option[T]): T = {
     opt match {
       case Some(obj) => obj
-      case None => null
+      case None => null.asInstanceOf[T]
     }
   }
 }