diff --git a/rsbbs/plugins/delete/plugin.py b/rsbbs/plugins/delete/plugin.py
index f568c96..45b247c 100644
--- a/rsbbs/plugins/delete/plugin.py
+++ b/rsbbs/plugins/delete/plugin.py
@@ -49,13 +49,12 @@ class Plugin():
                     sqlalchemy.and_(
                         Message.recipient == self.api.config.calling_station,
                         Message.id == number,
-                    )).returning(Message)
+                    ))
                 result = session.execute(
                     statement,
                     execution_options={"prebuffer_rows": True})
+                count = result.rowcount
                 session.commit()
-                results = result.all()
-                count = len(results)
                 if count > 0:
                     self.api.write_output(f"Deleted message #{number}")
                     logging.info(f"deleted message {number}")
diff --git a/rsbbs/plugins/deletem/plugin.py b/rsbbs/plugins/deletem/plugin.py
index a16b97c..fad9cc6 100644
--- a/rsbbs/plugins/deletem/plugin.py
+++ b/rsbbs/plugins/deletem/plugin.py
@@ -43,13 +43,12 @@ class Plugin():
             try:
                 statement = sqlalchemy.delete(Message).where(
                     Message.recipient == self.api.config.calling_station
-                    ).returning(Message)
+                    )
                 result = session.execute(
                     statement,
                     execution_options={"prebuffer_rows": True})
+                count = result.rowcount
                 session.commit()
-                messages = result.all()
-                count = len(messages)
                 if count > 0:
                     self.api.write_output(f"Deleted {count} messages")
                     logging.info(f"deleted {count} messages")