hosting_context_name returns '@' if node not found

function hosting_context_name($nid) {
  $node = node_load($nid);
  if (!$node) {
    drupal_set_message(t('Error: cannot load node id %nid to find its context', array('%nid' => $nid)), 'error');
  }
  return '@' . $node->hosting_name;
}

I suggest only to return a string if $node is actually found. And just 'return' on failure....
Or would that break something....

I prefer failing early instead of continuing with '@' as alias.

Opinions?