diff --git a/utilities_common/platform_sfputil_helper.py b/utilities_common/platform_sfputil_helper.py
index 17a5bdcf1e..d73e9dd131 100644
--- a/utilities_common/platform_sfputil_helper.py
+++ b/utilities_common/platform_sfputil_helper.py
@@ -131,12 +131,13 @@ def is_rj45_port(port_name):
         if not platform_porttab_mapping_read:
             platform_sfputil_read_porttab_mappings()
 
+        port_type = None
         try:
             physical_port = logical_port_name_to_physical_port_list(port_name)
             if physical_port:
                 port_type = platform_chassis.get_port_or_cage_type(physical_port[0])
         except Exception as e:
-            port_type = None
+            pass
 
         return port_type == platform_sfp_base.SFP_PORT_TYPE_BIT_RJ45