diff --git a/tests/storage/test_background_update.py b/tests/storage/test_background_update.py

index fbb9302694..9fabe3fbc0 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_background_update.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_background_update.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
                 "test_update",
                 progress,
             )
-            defer.returnValue(count)
+            return count
 
         self.update_handler.side_effect = update
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class BackgroundUpdateTestCase(unittest.TestCase):
         @defer.inlineCallbacks
         def update(progress, count):
             yield self.store._end_background_update("test_update")
-            defer.returnValue(count)
+            return count
 
         self.update_handler.side_effect = update
         self.update_handler.reset_mock()