diff --git a/tractor/_actor.py b/tractor/_actor.py
index 2813f8d..74c2049 100644
--- a/tractor/_actor.py
+++ b/tractor/_actor.py
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ class Actor:
                     # channel disconnect
                     log.debug(
                         f"{chan} from {chan.uid} disconnected, cancelling all rpc tasks")
-                    self.cancel_rpc_tasks(chan)
+                    await self.cancel_rpc_tasks(chan)
 
         except trio.ClosedResourceError:
             log.error(f"{chan} form {chan.uid} broke")