diff --git a/openspace/skill_engine/registry.py b/openspace/skill_engine/registry.py
index bb35dd8..114f6d8 100644
--- a/openspace/skill_engine/registry.py
+++ b/openspace/skill_engine/registry.py
@@ -299,8 +299,8 @@ class SkillRegistry:
             skill_dir: Path to a directory containing ``SKILL.md``.
 
         Returns:
-            :class:`SkillMeta` if newly registered, ``None`` if already
-            present, the directory is invalid, or the skill fails safety checks.
+            :class:`SkillMeta` if newly registered or already present,
+            ``None`` if the directory is invalid or the skill fails safety checks.
         """
         skill_file = skill_dir / "SKILL.md"
         if not skill_file.exists():
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ class SkillRegistry:
             meta = self._parse_skill(skill_dir.name, skill_dir, skill_file, content)
             if meta.skill_id in self._skills:
                 logger.debug(f"register_skill_dir: {meta.skill_id} already exists")
-                return None
+                return self._skills[meta.skill_id]
             self._skills[meta.skill_id] = meta
             self._content_cache[meta.skill_id] = content
             logger.info(f"Hot-registered skill: {meta.skill_id}")