diff --git a/akka-camel/src/main/scala/CamelService.scala b/akka-camel/src/main/scala/CamelService.scala
index 0e7fac4c9f..f689e6fe44 100644
--- a/akka-camel/src/main/scala/CamelService.scala
+++ b/akka-camel/src/main/scala/CamelService.scala
@@ -66,7 +66,10 @@ trait CamelService extends Bootable with Logging {
    *
    * @see onLoad
    */
-  def load = onLoad
+  def load: CamelService = {
+    onLoad
+    this
+  }
 
   /**
    * Stops the CamelService.