diff --git a/torba/torba/client/basenetwork.py b/torba/torba/client/basenetwork.py
index 466573d57..58a51eef3 100644
--- a/torba/torba/client/basenetwork.py
+++ b/torba/torba/client/basenetwork.py
@@ -80,9 +80,9 @@ class ClientSession(BaseClientSession):
                 await asyncio.wait_for(self.trigger_urgent_reconnect.wait(), timeout=retry_delay)
             except asyncio.TimeoutError:
                 pass
-            except asyncio.CancelledError as exception:
-                self.connection_lost(exception)
-                raise exception
+            except asyncio.CancelledError:
+                self.synchronous_close()
+                raise
             finally:
                 self.trigger_urgent_reconnect.clear()
 
diff --git a/torba/torba/rpc/session.py b/torba/torba/rpc/session.py
index 9ff3e7ed0..7b0350b15 100644
--- a/torba/torba/rpc/session.py
+++ b/torba/torba/rpc/session.py
@@ -254,6 +254,7 @@ class SessionBase(asyncio.Protocol):
         if self.transport:
             self.transport.abort()
 
+    # TODO: replace with synchronous_close
     async def close(self, *, force_after=30):
         """Close the connection and return when closed."""
         self._close()
@@ -263,6 +264,11 @@ class SessionBase(asyncio.Protocol):
                 self.abort()
                 await self._pm_task
 
+    def synchronous_close(self):
+        self._close()
+        if self._pm_task and not self._pm_task.done():
+            self._pm_task.cancel()
+
 
 class MessageSession(SessionBase):
     """Session class for protocols where messages are not tied to responses,