diff --git a/lib/dml/tests/dml_test.php b/lib/dml/tests/dml_test.php
index add9eb70bce..4df8204e1f1 100644
--- a/lib/dml/tests/dml_test.php
+++ b/lib/dml/tests/dml_test.php
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class core_dml_testcase extends database_driver_testcase {
 
         $table = new xmldb_table($tablename);
         $table->setComment("This is a test'n drop table. You can drop it safely");
-        return new xmldb_table($tablename);
+        return $table;
     }
 
     public function test_diagnose() {