bug with layout on rails 3 upgraded from 2.3.8

controller.rb

# on application_controller.rb
layout "application"

# on other_controller.rb
  # this doesn't work
  render :action => :show
  # this work
  render :action => :show, :layout => "other_layout"

# I've tried on application_controller this:

layout :set_layout

def set_layout
  logger.info "setting the layout"
  "application"
end

# but i never get the log message

# I try to check which layout is set before rendering with

logger.info "layout: #{self.send :_layout}"
render :action => :show

# the log say layout: application but is not rendered inside that layout