diff --git a/synapse/handlers/federation.py b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
index ea2f6a91d7..5728ea2ee7 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/federation.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
@@ -1184,13 +1184,12 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             )
             raise SynapseError(http_client.BAD_REQUEST, "Too many auth_events")
 
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def send_invite(self, target_host, event):
+    async def send_invite(self, target_host, event):
         """ Sends the invite to the remote server for signing.
 
         Invites must be signed by the invitee's server before distribution.
         """
-        pdu = yield self.federation_client.send_invite(
+        pdu = await self.federation_client.send_invite(
             destination=target_host,
             room_id=event.room_id,
             event_id=event.event_id,
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/message.py b/synapse/handlers/message.py
index bdf16c84d3..be6ae18a92 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/message.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/message.py
@@ -932,10 +932,9 @@ class EventCreationHandler(object):
                     # way? If we have been invited by a remote server, we need
                     # to get them to sign the event.
 
-                    returned_invite = yield federation_handler.send_invite(
-                        invitee.domain, event
+                    returned_invite = yield defer.ensureDeferred(
+                        federation_handler.send_invite(invitee.domain, event)
                     )
-
                     event.unsigned.pop("room_state", None)
 
                     # TODO: Make sure the signatures actually are correct.