diff --git a/tcsfw/client_api.py b/tcsfw/client_api.py
index e8f588e..e1a77e6 100644
--- a/tcsfw/client_api.py
+++ b/tcsfw/client_api.py
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ def api_exit(self, _request: APIRequest, data: bytes) -> Dict:
         clear_db = bool(param.get("clear_db", False))
         if clear_db:
             self.registry.clear_database()
-        return {}
+        return param
 
     def api_post_file(self, request: APIRequest, data_file: pathlib.Path) -> Dict:
         """Post API data in ZIP file"""
diff --git a/tcsfw/http_server.py b/tcsfw/http_server.py
index 088cff8..d367d81 100644
--- a/tcsfw/http_server.py
+++ b/tcsfw/http_server.py
@@ -266,13 +266,18 @@ async def handle_reload(self, request: web.Request):
         req = APIRequest.parse(request.path_qs)
         data = await request.content.read() if request.content else b""
         res = self.api.api_exit(req, data)
+        exit_delay = int(res.get("exit_delay", 1000))
+        res = {}  # do not return the parameters
 
         # reload means exiting this process, delay it for response to be sent
         def do_exit():
             # return code 0 for successful exit
             sys.exit(0)  # pylint: disable=consider-using-sys-exit
 
-        self.loop.call_later(1, do_exit)
+        if exit_delay > 0:
+            self.loop.call_later(exit_delay / 1000, do_exit)
+        else:
+            do_exit()  # no response will be sent
         return web.Response(text=json.dumps(res))
 
     def dump_model(self, channel: WebsocketChannel):