diff --git a/ipykernel/inprocess/client.py b/ipykernel/inprocess/client.py
index ea964ecde..1ed936b20 100644
--- a/ipykernel/inprocess/client.py
+++ b/ipykernel/inprocess/client.py
@@ -28,6 +28,13 @@
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
+def in_running_loop() -> bool:
+    try:
+        return asyncio.get_running_loop() is not None
+    except RuntimeError:
+        return False
+
+
 class InProcessKernelClient(KernelClient):
     """A client for an in-process kernel.
 
@@ -189,7 +196,7 @@ def _dispatch_to_kernel(self, msg):
         stream = kernel.shell_stream
         self.session.send(stream, msg)
         msg_parts = stream.recv_multipart()
-        if run_sync is not None:
+        if not in_running_loop() and run_sync is not None:
             dispatch_shell = run_sync(kernel.dispatch_shell)
             dispatch_shell(msg_parts)
         else: