diff --git a/synapse/handlers/_base.py b/synapse/handlers/_base.py
index dffb033fb..4b3f4eada 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/_base.py
@@ -150,8 +150,6 @@ class BaseHandler(object):
 
         notify_d.addErrback(log_failure)
 
-        fed_d = federation_handler.handle_new_event(
+        federation_handler.handle_new_event(
             event, destinations=destinations,
         )
-
-        fed_d.addErrback(log_failure)
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/federation.py b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
index a14928cb8..85e275722 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/federation.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/federation.py
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ class FederationHandler(BaseHandler):
             processing.
         """
 
-        self.replication_layer.send_pdu(event, destinations)
+        return self.replication_layer.send_pdu(event, destinations)
 
     @log_function
     @defer.inlineCallbacks