diff --git a/spring-cloud-sleuth-api/src/main/java/org/springframework/cloud/sleuth/Tracer.java b/spring-cloud-sleuth-api/src/main/java/org/springframework/cloud/sleuth/Tracer.java
index fda39b613..6e2ee26a9 100644
--- a/spring-cloud-sleuth-api/src/main/java/org/springframework/cloud/sleuth/Tracer.java
+++ b/spring-cloud-sleuth-api/src/main/java/org/springframework/cloud/sleuth/Tracer.java
@@ -146,7 +146,9 @@ public interface Tracer extends BaggageManager {
 	 * @return current trace context
 	 */
 	@Nullable
-	CurrentTraceContext currentTraceContext();
+	default CurrentTraceContext currentTraceContext() {
+		return null;
+	}
 
 	/**
 	 * Allows to customize the current span in scope.