diff --git a/examples/echo_client.py b/examples/echo_client.py
index 6f06da5..73699a7 100644
--- a/examples/echo_client.py
+++ b/examples/echo_client.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 
 import os
 import sys
+import asyncio
 import logging
 from getpass import getpass
 from argparse import ArgumentParser
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ class EchoBot(ClientXMPP):
         ClientXMPP.__init__(self, jid, password)
 
         self.add_event_handler("session_start", self.start)
-        self.add_event_handler("message", self.message)
+        self.add_event_handler("message", self.message_handler)
 
     def start(self, _event) -> None:
         """
@@ -57,7 +58,10 @@ class EchoBot(ClientXMPP):
         self.send_presence()
         self.get_roster()
 
-    def message(self, msg: Message, allow_untrusted: bool = False) -> None:
+    def message_handler(self, msg: Message) -> None:
+        asyncio.ensure_future(self.message(msg))
+
+    async def message(self, msg: Message, allow_untrusted: bool = False) -> None:
         """
         Process incoming message stanzas. Be aware that this also
         includes MUC messages and error messages. It is usually
@@ -69,20 +73,21 @@ class EchoBot(ClientXMPP):
                    for stanza objects and the Message stanza to see
                    how it may be used.
         """
+
         if msg['type'] not in ('chat', 'normal'):
             return None
 
         if not self['xep_0384'].is_encrypted(msg):
-            self.plain_reply(msg, 'This message was not encrypted.\n%(body)s' % msg)
+            await self.plain_reply(msg, 'This message was not encrypted.\n%(body)s' % msg)
             return None
 
         try:
             body = self['xep_0384'].decrypt_message(msg, allow_untrusted)
-            self.encrypted_reply(msg, 'Thanks for sending\n%s' % body.decode("utf8"))
+            await self.encrypted_reply(msg, 'Thanks for sending\n%s' % body.decode("utf8"))
         except (MissingOwnKey,):
             # The message is missing our own key, it was not encrypted for
             # us, and we can't decrypt it.
-            self.plain_reply(
+            await self.plain_reply(
                 msg,
                 'I can\'t decrypt this message as it is not encrypted for me.',
             )
@@ -93,7 +98,7 @@ class EchoBot(ClientXMPP):
             # Here, as we need to initiate a new encrypted session, it is
             # best if we send an encrypted message directly. XXX: Is it
             # where we talk about self-healing messages?
-            self.encrypted_reply(
+            await self.encrypted_reply(
                 msg,
                 'I can\'t decrypt this message as it uses an encrypted '
                 'session I don\'t know about.',
@@ -107,21 +112,21 @@ class EchoBot(ClientXMPP):
             # or not. Clients _should_ indicate that the message was not
             # trusted, or in undecided state, if they decide to decrypt it
             # anyway.
-            self.plain_reply(
+            await self.plain_reply(
                 msg,
                 "Your device '%s' is not in my trusted devices." % exn.device,
             )
             # We resend, setting the `allow_untrusted` parameter to True.
-            self.message(msg, allow_untrusted=True)
+            await self.message(msg, allow_untrusted=True)
         except (EncryptionPrepareException,):
             # Slixmpp tried its best, but there were errors it couldn't
             # resolve. At this point you should have seen other exceptions
             # and given a chance to resolve them already.
-            self.plain_reply(msg, 'I was not able to decrypt the message.')
+            await self.plain_reply(msg, 'I was not able to decrypt the message.')
 
         return None
 
-    def plain_reply(self, original_msg, body) -> None:
+    async def plain_reply(self, original_msg, body) -> None:
         """
         Helper to reply to messages
         """
@@ -130,13 +135,13 @@ class EchoBot(ClientXMPP):
         mtype = original_msg['type']
         msg = self.make_message(mto=mto, mtype=mtype)
         msg['body'] = body
-        msg.send()
+        return msg.send()
 
-    def encrypted_reply(self, original_msg, body) -> None:
+    async def encrypted_reply(self, original_msg, body) -> None:
         """Helper to reply with encrypted messages"""
 
         # TODO: Send the message encrypted.
-        self.plain_reply(msg, body)
+        return await self.plain_reply(msg, body)
 
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':