diff --git a/include/yaml-cpp/node/impl.h b/include/yaml-cpp/node/impl.h
index 26cccbd..d711527 100644
--- a/include/yaml-cpp/node/impl.h
+++ b/include/yaml-cpp/node/impl.h
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ inline const T Node::as() const {
 template <typename T, typename S>
 inline const T Node::as(const S& fallback) const {
   if (!m_isValid)
-    throw InvalidNode();
+    return fallback;
   return as_if<T, S>(*this)(fallback);
 }