diff --git a/folium/map.py b/folium/map.py
index 77ec702a83..0d57822d37 100644
--- a/folium/map.py
+++ b/folium/map.py
@@ -445,6 +445,7 @@ def add_child(self, child, name=None, index=None):
             self.set_icon(child)
         else:
             super().add_child(child, name, index)
+        return self
 
 
 class Popup(MacroElement):