diff --git a/etc/inc/util.inc b/etc/inc/util.inc
index ca06a2bb5c..9bae7521a3 100644
--- a/etc/inc/util.inc
+++ b/etc/inc/util.inc
@@ -169,6 +169,8 @@ function refcount_unreference($reference) {
 	} else
 		shmop_write($shmid, $shm_data, 0);
 	shmop_close($shmid);
+	
+	return $shm_data;
 }
 
 function is_module_loaded($module_name) {