diff --git a/sklearn/tree/_classes.py b/sklearn/tree/_classes.py
index 84a41aff1174c..6511c8192889e 100644
--- a/sklearn/tree/_classes.py
+++ b/sklearn/tree/_classes.py
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ def _fit(
             min_weight_leaf = self.min_weight_fraction_leaf * np.sum(sample_weight)
 
         # build the actual tree now with the parameters
-        self._build_tree(
+        self = self._build_tree(
             X=X,
             y=y,
             sample_weight=sample_weight,
@@ -573,6 +573,7 @@ def _build_tree(
             self.classes_ = self.classes_[0]
 
         self._prune_tree()
+        return self
 
     def _validate_X_predict(self, X, check_input):
         """Validate the training data on predict (probabilities)."""