diff --git a/exec_apply_effects.lua b/exec_apply_effects.lua
index f29d406..82d68b6 100644
--- a/exec_apply_effects.lua
+++ b/exec_apply_effects.lua
@@ -378,6 +378,9 @@ yl_speak_up.execute_effect = function(player, n_id, o_id, r)
 		-- returning of any leftover items needs to happen after *all* effects
 		-- are executed; we don't need to take any special preparations here
 
+		-- this action was a success
+		return true
+
 	elseif(r.r_type == "dialog"
 	    or r.r_type == "on_failure") then
 		-- this needs to be handled in the calling function