diff --git a/bin/templates/cordova/lib/check_reqs.js b/bin/templates/cordova/lib/check_reqs.js
index 25c3f736..82827ac0 100644
--- a/bin/templates/cordova/lib/check_reqs.js
+++ b/bin/templates/cordova/lib/check_reqs.js
@@ -135,6 +135,8 @@ module.exports.check_gradle = function () {
 
 /**
  * Checks for the java installation and correct version
+ *
+ * Despite the name, it should return the Java version value, it's used by the Cordova CLI.
  */
 module.exports.check_java = async function () {
     const javaVersion = await java.getVersion();
@@ -145,6 +147,8 @@ module.exports.check_java = async function () {
             'Check your ANDROID_SDK_ROOT / JAVA_HOME / PATH environment variables.'
         );
     }
+
+    return javaVersion;
 };
 
 // Returns a promise.
diff --git a/spec/unit/check_reqs.spec.js b/spec/unit/check_reqs.spec.js
index 2e30ccdf..66b6326a 100644
--- a/spec/unit/check_reqs.spec.js
+++ b/spec/unit/check_reqs.spec.js
@@ -56,6 +56,14 @@ describe('check_reqs', function () {
 
             await expectAsync(check_reqs.check_java()).toBeRejectedWithError(CordovaError, /Requirements check failed for JDK 9999.9999.9999! Detected version: 1.8.0/);
         });
+
+        it('should return the version', async () => {
+            check_reqs.__set__({
+                java: { getVersion: async () => ({ version: '1.8.0' }) }
+            });
+
+            await expectAsync(check_reqs.check_java()).toBeResolvedTo({ version: '1.8.0' });
+        });
     });
 
     describe('check_android', function () {