diff --git a/tractor/_actor.py b/tractor/_actor.py
index c9daa81..2e08b12 100644
--- a/tractor/_actor.py
+++ b/tractor/_actor.py
@@ -768,7 +768,7 @@ async def wait_for_actor(
 ) -> typing.AsyncGenerator[Portal, None]:
     """Wait on an actor to register with the arbiter.
 
-    A portal to the first actor which registered is be returned.
+    A portal to the first registered actor is returned.
     """
     actor = current_actor()
     async with get_arbiter(*arbiter_sockaddr or actor._arb_addr) as arb_portal:
diff --git a/tractor/_portal.py b/tractor/_portal.py
index f8a01ac..6eaab31 100644
--- a/tractor/_portal.py
+++ b/tractor/_portal.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 Portal api
 """
 import importlib
+import inspect
 import typing
 from typing import Tuple, Any, Dict, Optional
 
@@ -220,7 +221,11 @@ class LocalPortal:
         """Run a requested function locally and return it's result.
         """
         obj = self.actor if ns == 'self' else importlib.import_module(ns)
-        return getattr(obj, func)(**kwargs)
+        func = getattr(obj, func)
+        if inspect.iscoroutinefunction(func):
+            return await func(**kwargs)
+        else:
+            return func(**kwargs)
 
 
 @asynccontextmanager