diff --git a/slixmpp_omemo/__init__.py b/slixmpp_omemo/__init__.py
index e60d752..0ecb0d2 100644
--- a/slixmpp_omemo/__init__.py
+++ b/slixmpp_omemo/__init__.py
@@ -645,7 +645,7 @@ class XEP_0384(BasePlugin):
 
         if self.auto_heartbeat:
             msg = self.make_heartbeat(jid)
-            asyncio.ensure_future(msg.send())
+            msg.send()
 
         return body