To address the problem of lubricant entrainment within the refrigerant system components such as an evaporator and suction line, a control is provided to periodically, substantially and intermittently increase the refrigerant flow through these components to thereby carry the trapped lubricant back to the compressor. The increased flow of refrigerant can be accomplished by periodically throttling and then unthrottling either an expansion device or a suction modulation valve to cause instantaneous pressure buildup within a respective section of the vapor compression system and subsequent increase of the refrigerant flow through the above-referenced components such as an evaporator and suction line. Suggested time intervals of both the throttling and unthrottling states are provided, as well as the frequency of occurrence for subsequent oil return cycles.