diff --git a/slixmpp_omemo/__init__.py b/slixmpp_omemo/__init__.py
index 47c30c5..6c803d0 100644
--- a/slixmpp_omemo/__init__.py
+++ b/slixmpp_omemo/__init__.py
@@ -608,7 +608,6 @@ class XEP_0384(BasePlugin):
                 payload,
                 allow_untrusted=allow_untrusted,
             )
-            return body
         except (omemo.exceptions.NoSessionException,):
             # This might happen when the sender is sending using a session
             # that we don't know about (deleted session storage, etc.). In
@@ -624,6 +623,8 @@ class XEP_0384(BasePlugin):
         finally:
             asyncio.ensure_future(self._publish_bundle())
 
+        return body
+
     async def encrypt_message(
         self,
         plaintext: str,