diff --git a/pycrdt_websocket/websocket_provider.py b/pycrdt_websocket/websocket_provider.py
index ddc8b39..c2e08a1 100644
--- a/pycrdt_websocket/websocket_provider.py
+++ b/pycrdt_websocket/websocket_provider.py
@@ -73,8 +73,6 @@ def started(self) -> Event:
             self._started = Event()
         return self._started
 
-        return self
-
     @property
     def _start_lock(self) -> Lock:
         if self.__start_lock is None: