Set Shape as Another Shape Fails.. ??

Thank-you. It's weird but after I changed the code to this:

Function Shapes_Exist(WS As Worksheet, ShapeName As String, ByRef SetShape As Shape) As Boolean
' does the shape with the ShapeName name exist?
Dim tmpID As Long

    On Error GoTo ShapeNotExist
    Shapes_Exist = False
    tmpID = WS.Shapes(ShapeName).Id
    If IsEmpty(tmpID) Then
      Shapes_Exist = False
    Else
      Shapes_Exist = True
      Set SetShape = WS.Shapes(ShapeName)
    End If

ShapeNotExist:
    On Error GoTo 0
    

End Function

it now works as intended.

I use the function extensively to check if shapes exist, and create or destroy them depending on whether they should exist. It's all working as intended. I am now puzzled - why does this new code work? Thanks!