diff --git a/tests/core/pyspec/eth2spec/test/helpers/block.py b/tests/core/pyspec/eth2spec/test/helpers/block.py
index 64f406633..0dd9dc98e 100644
--- a/tests/core/pyspec/eth2spec/test/helpers/block.py
+++ b/tests/core/pyspec/eth2spec/test/helpers/block.py
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ def transition_unsigned_block(spec, state, block):
     assert state.latest_block_header.slot < block.slot  # There may not already be a block in this slot or past it.
     assert state.slot == block.slot  # The block must be for this slot
     spec.process_block(state, block)
+    return block
 
 
 def apply_empty_block(spec, state, slot=None):
@@ -68,7 +69,7 @@ def apply_empty_block(spec, state, slot=None):
     Transition via an empty block (on current slot, assuming no block has been applied yet).
     """
     block = build_empty_block(spec, state, slot)
-    transition_unsigned_block(spec, state, block)
+    return transition_unsigned_block(spec, state, block)
 
 
 def build_empty_block(spec, state, slot=None):
diff --git a/tests/core/pyspec/eth2spec/test/helpers/state.py b/tests/core/pyspec/eth2spec/test/helpers/state.py
index d61df7610..85d1eed5e 100644
--- a/tests/core/pyspec/eth2spec/test/helpers/state.py
+++ b/tests/core/pyspec/eth2spec/test/helpers/state.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def next_epoch_via_block(spec, state):
     """
     Transition to the start slot of the next epoch via a full block transition
     """
-    apply_empty_block(spec, state, state.slot + spec.SLOTS_PER_EPOCH - state.slot % spec.SLOTS_PER_EPOCH)
+    return apply_empty_block(spec, state, state.slot + spec.SLOTS_PER_EPOCH - state.slot % spec.SLOTS_PER_EPOCH)
 
 
 def get_state_root(spec, state, slot) -> bytes: