diff --git a/jquery.binding.js b/jquery.binding.js
index 9e9f4b9..9a861af 100644
--- a/jquery.binding.js
+++ b/jquery.binding.js
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 
 			if (sortable) {
 				if (options === 'widget') {
-					return sortable;
+					retVal = sortable;
 				}
 				else if (options === 'destroy') {
 					sortable.destroy();