diff --git a/modules/@angular/platform-browser/src/browser/tools/tools.ts b/modules/@angular/platform-browser/src/browser/tools/tools.ts
index d16308ccef..7a4763faa1 100644
--- a/modules/@angular/platform-browser/src/browser/tools/tools.ts
+++ b/modules/@angular/platform-browser/src/browser/tools/tools.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ var context = <any>global;
  */
 export function enableDebugTools(ref: ComponentRef<any>): void {
   context.ng = new AngularTools(ref);
+  return ref;
 }
 
 /**