diff --git a/openflexure_microscope/api/v2/views/actions/system.py b/openflexure_microscope/api/v2/views/actions/system.py
index 631c5c79..df002df1 100644
--- a/openflexure_microscope/api/v2/views/actions/system.py
+++ b/openflexure_microscope/api/v2/views/actions/system.py
@@ -25,9 +25,14 @@ class ShutdownAPI(View):
         """
         Attempt to shutdown the device
         """
-        subprocess.Popen(["sudo", "shutdown", "-h", "now"])
+        p = subprocess.Popen(
+            ["sudo", "shutdown", "-h", "now"],
+            stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
+            stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
+        )
 
-        return "{}", 201
+        out, err = p.communicate()
+        return {"out": out, "err": err}, 201
 
 
 @ThingAction
@@ -41,6 +46,11 @@ class RebootAPI(View):
         """
         Attempt to reboot the device
         """
-        subprocess.Popen(["sudo", "shutdown", "-r", "now"])
+        p = subprocess.Popen(
+            ["sudo", "shutdown", "-r", "now"],
+            stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
+            stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
+        )
 
-        return "{}", 201
+        out, err = p.communicate()
+        return {"out": out, "err": err}, 201