diff --git a/pkg/expr/nodes.go b/pkg/expr/nodes.go
index 042fecc250d..7b2401a6e6a 100644
--- a/pkg/expr/nodes.go
+++ b/pkg/expr/nodes.go
@@ -333,7 +333,11 @@ func (dn *DSNode) Execute(ctx context.Context, now time.Time, _ mathexp.Vars, s
 
 	if len(filtered) == 0 {
 		responseType = "no data"
-		return mathexp.Results{Values: mathexp.Values{mathexp.NoData{Frame: response.Frames[0]}}}, nil
+		noData := mathexp.NewNoData()
+		if len(response.Frames) > 0 {
+			noData.Frame = response.Frames[0]
+		}
+		return mathexp.Results{Values: mathexp.Values{noData}}, nil
 	}
 
 	maybeFixerFn := checkIfSeriesNeedToBeFixed(filtered, dataSource)
diff --git a/pkg/expr/nodes_test.go b/pkg/expr/nodes_test.go
index 49c0d82319a..58ab09d0106 100644
--- a/pkg/expr/nodes_test.go
+++ b/pkg/expr/nodes_test.go
@@ -180,6 +180,7 @@ func TestCheckIfSeriesNeedToBeFixed(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestConvertDataFramesToResults(t *testing.T) {
+	var features featuremgmt.FeatureToggles = &featuremgmt.FeatureManager{}
 	execute := func(frames []*data.Frame, datasourceType string) (mathexp.Results, error) {
 		dsNode := DSNode{
 			baseNode: baseNode{
@@ -195,7 +196,7 @@ func TestConvertDataFramesToResults(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		s := &Service{
 			cfg:      setting.NewCfg(),
-			features: &featuremgmt.FeatureManager{},
+			features: features,
 			tracer:   tracing.InitializeTracerForTest(),
 			metrics:  newMetrics(nil),
 			dataService: &mockEndpoint{
@@ -206,6 +207,18 @@ func TestConvertDataFramesToResults(t *testing.T) {
 		return dsNode.Execute(context.Background(), time.Now(), nil, s)
 	}
 
+	t.Run("when it is not dataplane", func(t *testing.T) {
+		f := features
+		t.Cleanup(func() {
+			features = f
+		})
+		features = featuremgmt.WithFeatures(featuremgmt.FlagDisableSSEDataplane)
+		t.Run("should return NoData if no frames", func(t *testing.T) {
+			result, err := execute(nil, "test")
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+			require.Equal(t, mathexp.NewNoData(), result.Values[0].Value())
+		})
+	})
 	t.Run("should add name label if no labels and specific data source", func(t *testing.T) {
 		supported := []string{datasources.DS_GRAPHITE, datasources.DS_TESTDATA}
 		t.Run("when only field name is specified", func(t *testing.T) {