diff --git a/devito/__init__.py b/devito/__init__.py
index c44cd4c16d..1ba848d621 100644
--- a/devito/__init__.py
+++ b/devito/__init__.py
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ def reinit_compiler(val):
     """
     configuration['compiler'].__init__(suffix=configuration['compiler'].suffix,
                                        mpi=configuration['mpi'])
+    return val
 
 
 # Setup target platform and compiler
diff --git a/devito/logger.py b/devito/logger.py
index 2a7eed95a6..0ca9ec6aea 100644
--- a/devito/logger.py
+++ b/devito/logger.py
@@ -56,6 +56,8 @@ def _set_log_level(level):
 
     logger.setLevel(level)
 
+    return level
+
 
 def set_log_level(level, comm=None):
     """
diff --git a/devito/parameters.py b/devito/parameters.py
index e63d147058..a30e17eade 100644
--- a/devito/parameters.py
+++ b/devito/parameters.py
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ def __enter__(self, condition=True, **params):
         self.previous = {}
         for k, v in self.params.items():
             self.previous[k] = configuration[k]
-            configuration.update(k, v)
+            configuration[k] = v
 
     def __exit__(self, exc_type, exc_val, exc_tb):
         for k, v in self.params.items():