diff --git a/common/python/nomadcore/simple_parser.py b/common/python/nomadcore/simple_parser.py
index 66d37cf3009ea6ddb3cde7e1ccf1fcb8bbd61194..514b67396e1861d8e01029225f136b5385f7a5b6 100644
--- a/common/python/nomadcore/simple_parser.py
+++ b/common/python/nomadcore/simple_parser.py
@@ -1212,12 +1212,13 @@ def runParser(compiledParser, backend, superContext, fIn):
         logging.exception("problem calling superContext.startedParsing")
         pass
     parser.parse()
+    return parser.parsingStats
 
 def defaultParseFile(parserInfo):
     def parseF(parserBuilder, uri, path, backend, superContext):
         with open(path, "r") as fIn:
             backend.startedParsingSession(uri, parserInfo)
-            runParser(parserBuilder, backend, superContext, fIn)
+            parsingStats = runParser(parserBuilder, backend, superContext, fIn)
             backend.finishedParsingSession("ParseSuccess", None)
     return parseF