diff --git a/src/doc.c b/src/doc.c
index 43785510597..9564646c5bb 100644
--- a/src/doc.c
+++ b/src/doc.c
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ translation.")
       struct gcpro gcpro1;
 
       GCPRO1 (tem);
-      return Fsubstitute_command_keys (tem);
+      tem = Fsubstitute_command_keys (tem);
       UNGCPRO;
     }
   return tem;