diff --git a/agent-sdk-client/handler.py b/agent-sdk-client/handler.py
index ae3cd9f..f472583 100644
--- a/agent-sdk-client/handler.py
+++ b/agent-sdk-client/handler.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 Receives Telegram webhook, writes to SQS, returns 200 immediately.
 """
+import asyncio
 import json
 import logging
 from typing import Any
@@ -128,11 +129,13 @@ def _handle_local_command(bot: Bot, message, config: Config, cmd: str) -> bool:
         text = config.unknown_command_message()
 
     try:
-        bot.send_message(
-            chat_id=message.chat_id,
-            text=text,
-            message_thread_id=message.message_thread_id,
-            reply_to_message_id=message.message_id,
+        asyncio.run(
+            bot.send_message(
+                chat_id=message.chat_id,
+                text=text,
+                message_thread_id=message.message_thread_id,
+                reply_to_message_id=message.message_id,
+            )
         )
     except Exception:
         logger.warning("Failed to send local command response", exc_info=True)