diff --git a/ipykernel/inprocess/ipkernel.py b/ipykernel/inprocess/ipkernel.py
index aaaa5099f..f185ddc35 100644
--- a/ipykernel/inprocess/ipkernel.py
+++ b/ipykernel/inprocess/ipkernel.py
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ def start(self):
         """Override registration of dispatchers for streams."""
         self.shell.exit_now = False
 
-    async def _abort_queues(self):
+    def _abort_queues(self):
         """The in-process kernel doesn't abort requests."""
         pass