diff --git a/wp-includes/user.php b/wp-includes/user.php
index c52a619e7f..7cb5e7d45c 100644
--- a/wp-includes/user.php
+++ b/wp-includes/user.php
@@ -3449,7 +3449,7 @@ function wp_validate_user_request_key( $request_id, $key ) {
 	}
 
 	if ( ! in_array( $request->status, array( 'request-pending', 'request-failed' ), true ) ) {
-		return __( 'This link has expired.' );
+		return new WP_Error( 'expired_link', __( 'This link has expired.' ) );
 	}
 
 	if ( empty( $key ) ) {
diff --git a/wp-includes/version.php b/wp-includes/version.php
index 7b60d905dd..02555c13d4 100644
--- a/wp-includes/version.php
+++ b/wp-includes/version.php
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  *
  * @global string $wp_version
  */
-$wp_version = '4.9.9-alpha-43622';
+$wp_version = '4.9.9-alpha-43624';
 
 /**
  * Holds the WordPress DB revision, increments when changes are made to the WordPress DB schema.