diff --git a/actionpack/lib/action_controller/base/chained/filters.rb b/actionpack/lib/action_controller/base/chained/filters.rb
index 98fe306fd5..e121c0129d 100644
--- a/actionpack/lib/action_controller/base/chained/filters.rb
+++ b/actionpack/lib/action_controller/base/chained/filters.rb
@@ -571,12 +571,7 @@ def skip_filter(*filters)
 
       # Returns an array of Filter objects for this controller.
       def filter_chain
-        if chain = read_inheritable_attribute('filter_chain')
-          return chain
-        else
-          write_inheritable_attribute('filter_chain', FilterChain.new)
-          return filter_chain
-        end
+        read_inheritable_attribute('filter_chain') || write_inheritable_attribute('filter_chain', FilterChain.new)
       end
 
       # Returns all the before filters for this class and all its ancestors.