diff --git a/phpseclib/File/X509.php b/phpseclib/File/X509.php
index 7aa278f2..a99252eb 100644
--- a/phpseclib/File/X509.php
+++ b/phpseclib/File/X509.php
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ class X509
      *
      * @var array
      */
-    private $CAs;
+    private $CAs = [];
 
     /**
      * The currently loaded certificate
@@ -2030,9 +2030,6 @@ class X509
         if (!is_array($this->currentCert) || !isset($this->currentCert['tbsCertificate'])) {
             return false;
         }
-        if (empty($this->CAs)) {
-            return $chain;
-        }
         while (true) {
             $currentCert = $chain[count($chain) - 1];
             for ($i = 0; $i < count($this->CAs); $i++) {