diff --git a/synapse/handlers/events.py b/synapse/handlers/events.py
index f1a3e4a4a..851eebf60 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/events.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/events.py
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ class EventStreamHandler(BaseHandler):
 
                     # 10 seconds of grace to allow the client to reconnect again
                     #   before we think they're gone
+                    @defer.inlineCallbacks
                     def _later():
                         logger.debug(
                             "_later stopped_user_eventstream %s", auth_user