diff --git a/Lib/mimetools.py b/Lib/mimetools.py
index 27996e04cb4..da955af05da 100644
--- a/Lib/mimetools.py
+++ b/Lib/mimetools.py
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ def decode(input, output, encoding):
 		import uu
 		return uu.decode(input, output)
 	if encoding in ('7bit', '8bit'):
-		output.write(input.read())
+		return output.write(input.read())
 	if decodetab.has_key(encoding):
 		pipethrough(input, decodetab[encoding], output)
 	else:
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ def encode(input, output, encoding):
 		import uu
 		return uu.encode(input, output)
 	if encoding in ('7bit', '8bit'):
-		output.write(input.read())
+		return output.write(input.read())
 	if encodetab.has_key(encoding):
 		pipethrough(input, encodetab[encoding], output)
 	else: