diff --git a/djangochannelsrestframework/consumers.py b/djangochannelsrestframework/consumers.py
index 0bc913e..556e943 100644
--- a/djangochannelsrestframework/consumers.py
+++ b/djangochannelsrestframework/consumers.py
@@ -236,8 +236,8 @@ async def get_action_name(
 
         Override this method if you do not want to use `{"action": "action_name"}` as the way to describe actions.
         """
-        action = content.pop("action")
-        return (action, content)
+        self.action = content.pop("action")
+        return (self.action, content)
 
     async def reply(
         self,