How can I perform the operation 1+G for a transfer function G with time delay?

I would like to create a characteristic equation 1+G_openloop for a closed loop system. One of my transfer functions has time delay (32*exp(-s)). Every time I try to add something to my time delay transfer function (like 1+G), Matlab automatically converts the output to a state-space model, and doesn't allow conversion back to a transfer function. Is there a way to do this without rewriting the time delay as an approximation? My desired output should still be in transfer function form.

Relevant code is G = tf(32,1,'InputDelay',1); charEqn = 1 + G, where charEqn becomes a state-space model.

I know this is possible in Simulink with a time delay block, but I'm trying to work this in Matlab to do some iterative tuning.