diff --git a/services/storage/src/simcore_service_storage/handlers_files.py b/services/storage/src/simcore_service_storage/handlers_files.py
index 3ec5699744c..3bb4dae2451 100644
--- a/services/storage/src/simcore_service_storage/handlers_files.py
+++ b/services/storage/src/simcore_service_storage/handlers_files.py
@@ -93,15 +93,18 @@ async def get_file_metadata(request: web.Request) -> web.Response:
             file_id=path_params.file_id,
         )
     except FileMetaDataNotFoundError:
-        # NOTE: This is what happens Larry... data must be an empty {} or else some old
-        # dynamic services will FAIL (sic)
-        # TODO: once all legacy services are gone, remove the try except, it will default to 404
+        # NOTE: LEGACY compatibility
+        # This is what happens Larry... data must be an empty {} or else some old dynamic services will FAIL (sic)
+        # Cannot remove until we retire all legacy services
+        # https://github.com/ITISFoundation/osparc-simcore/issues/5676
+        # https://github.com/ITISFoundation/osparc-simcore/blob/cfdf4f86d844ebb362f4f39e9c6571d561b72897/services/storage/client-sdk/python/simcore_service_storage_sdk/models/file_meta_data_enveloped.py#L34
+
         return web.json_response(
-            {"error": "No result found", "data": None}, dumps=json_dumps
+            {"error": "No result found", "data": {}}, dumps=json_dumps
         )
 
     if request.headers.get("User-Agent") == "OpenAPI-Generator/0.1.0/python":
-        # LEGACY compatiblity with API v0.1.0
+        # NOTE: LEGACY compatiblity with API v0.1.0
         # SEE models used in sdk in:
         # https://github.com/ITISFoundation/osparc-simcore/blob/cfdf4f86d844ebb362f4f39e9c6571d561b72897/services/storage/client-sdk/python/simcore_service_storage_sdk/models/file_meta_data_enveloped.py#L34
         # https://github.com/ITISFoundation/osparc-simcore/blob/cfdf4f86d844ebb362f4f39e9c6571d561b72897/services/storage/client-sdk/python/simcore_service_storage_sdk/models/file_meta_data_type.py#L34