diff --git a/lib/galaxy/webapps/galaxy/controllers/visualization.py b/lib/galaxy/webapps/galaxy/controllers/visualization.py
index 157cfde250d2..b70fc5ad6f85 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/webapps/galaxy/controllers/visualization.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/webapps/galaxy/controllers/visualization.py
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ def render(self, trans, visualization_name, embedded=None, **kwargs):
         try:
             return plugin.render(trans=trans, embedded=embedded, **kwargs)
         except Exception as exception:
-            self._handle_plugin_error(trans, visualization_name, exception)
+            return self._handle_plugin_error(trans, visualization_name, exception)
 
     def _get_plugin_from_registry(self, trans, visualization_name):
         """