diff --git a/synapse/federation/federation_server.py b/synapse/federation/federation_server.py
index 34f5b17446..c48a41b5d5 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/federation_server.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/federation_server.py
@@ -147,6 +147,8 @@ class FederationServer(FederationBase):
 
         logger.debug("Returning: %s", str(ret))
 
+        response = ret
+
         yield self.transaction_actions.set_response(
             transaction,
             200, response