diff --git a/python/ray/serve/backend_worker.py b/python/ray/serve/backend_worker.py
index 197ee302c..e430dbe38 100644
--- a/python/ray/serve/backend_worker.py
+++ b/python/ray/serve/backend_worker.py
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ def create_backend_replica(func_or_class: Union[Callable, Type[Callable]]):
             self.backend = RayServeReplica(_callable, backend_config,
                                            is_function, controller_handle)
 
+        @ray.method(num_returns=2)
         async def handle_request(self, request):
             return await self.backend.handle_request(request)
 
@@ -411,7 +412,8 @@ class RayServeReplica:
             self.replica_tag, request.metadata.request_id, request_time_ms))
 
         self.num_ongoing_requests -= 1
-        return result
+        # Returns a small object for router to track request status.
+        return b"", result
 
     async def drain_pending_queries(self):
         """Perform graceful shutdown.
diff --git a/python/ray/serve/router.py b/python/ray/serve/router.py
index 1ee2e3c59..1e118a604 100644
--- a/python/ray/serve/router.py
+++ b/python/ray/serve/router.py
@@ -103,9 +103,9 @@ class ReplicaSet:
                 continue
             logger.debug(f"Assigned query {query.metadata.request_id} "
                          f"to replica {replica}.")
-            ref = replica.handle_request.remote(query)
-            self.in_flight_queries[replica].add(ref)
-            return ref
+            tracker_ref, user_ref = replica.handle_request.remote(query)
+            self.in_flight_queries[replica].add(tracker_ref)
+            return user_ref
         return None
 
     @property
diff --git a/python/ray/serve/tests/test_backend_worker.py b/python/ray/serve/tests/test_backend_worker.py
index ee175a4d1..74c5418df 100644
--- a/python/ray/serve/tests/test_backend_worker.py
+++ b/python/ray/serve/tests/test_backend_worker.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ def setup_worker(name,
         def ready(self):
             pass
 
+        @ray.method(num_returns=2)
         async def handle_request(self, *args, **kwargs):
             return await self.worker.handle_request(*args, **kwargs)
 
diff --git a/python/ray/serve/tests/test_router.py b/python/ray/serve/tests/test_router.py
index 69ffeb2e0..a3164ada2 100644
--- a/python/ray/serve/tests/test_router.py
+++ b/python/ray/serve/tests/test_router.py
@@ -32,12 +32,13 @@ def mock_task_runner():
             self.query = None
             self.queries = []
 
+        @ray.method(num_returns=2)
         async def handle_request(self, request):
             if isinstance(request, bytes):
                 request = Query.ray_deserialize(request)
             self.query = request
             self.queries.append(request)
-            return "DONE"
+            return b"", "DONE"
 
         def get_recent_call(self):
             return self.query
@@ -195,10 +196,11 @@ async def test_replica_set(ray_instance):
     class MockWorker:
         _num_queries = 0
 
+        @ray.method(num_returns=2)
         async def handle_request(self, request):
             self._num_queries += 1
             await signal.wait.remote()
-            return "DONE"
+            return b"", "DONE"
 
         async def num_queries(self):
             return self._num_queries