diff --git a/src/MapperInterface.php b/src/MapperInterface.php
index bd05f4e..484b2b3 100644
--- a/src/MapperInterface.php
+++ b/src/MapperInterface.php
@@ -22,6 +22,11 @@
 interface MapperInterface
 {
     /**
+     * Load the "to object" and return it.
+     *
+     * This method should load (e.g. from the database) or instantiate the "to object".
+     * Avoid populating any properties except for an identifier.
+     *
      * @param TFrom             $from
      * @param class-string<TTo> $toClass
      *
@@ -30,6 +35,10 @@ interface MapperInterface
     public function load(object $from, string $toClass, array $context): object;
 
     /**
+     * Populate the data onto the "to object" from the "from object".
+     *
+     * Receives the "to object" returned from load().
+     *
      * @param TFrom $from
      * @param TTo   $to
      *
diff --git a/src/MicroMapper.php b/src/MicroMapper.php
index 22551f1..c051319 100644
--- a/src/MicroMapper.php
+++ b/src/MicroMapper.php
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public function map(object $from, string $toClass, array $context = []): object
 
             // avoid fully populated objects if max depth is reached
             if (null === $this->maxDepth || $this->currentDepth < $this->maxDepth) {
-                $mapperConfig->getMapper()->populate($from, $toObject, $context);
+                $toObject = $mapperConfig->getMapper()->populate($from, $toObject, $context);
             }
 
             unset($this->objectHashes[spl_object_hash($from)]);