diff --git a/ipykernel/kernelbase.py b/ipykernel/kernelbase.py
index 622f1ca05..79b27ce93 100644
--- a/ipykernel/kernelbase.py
+++ b/ipykernel/kernelbase.py
@@ -985,7 +985,8 @@ def _abort_queues(self):
         self.shell_stream.flush()
 
         # Callback to signal that we are done aborting
-        def stop_aborting():
+        # dispatch functions _must_ be async
+        async def stop_aborting():
             self.log.info("Finishing abort")
             self._aborting = False