diff --git a/src/europython_discord/registration/cog.py b/src/europython_discord/registration/cog.py
index f36056e..0948efd 100644
--- a/src/europython_discord/registration/cog.py
+++ b/src/europython_discord/registration/cog.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ async def on_submit(self, interaction: discord.Interaction) -> None:
         _logger.info(f"Registration attempt: {order=}, {name=}")
 
         # send initial reaction so Discord doesn't drop the interaction after 3 seconds
-        interaction.response.defer(ephemeral=True, thinking=True)
+        await interaction.response.defer(ephemeral=True, thinking=True)
         tickets = self.pretix_connector.get_tickets(order=order, name=name)
 
         if not tickets: