diff --git a/ably/rest/rest.py b/ably/rest/rest.py
index f59a5c1a..1e126091 100644
--- a/ably/rest/rest.py
+++ b/ably/rest/rest.py
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def __init__(self, key: Optional[str] = None, token: Optional[str] = None,
         self.__sync_enabled = options.sync_enabled
         if self.__sync_enabled:
             if options.loop is None:
-                self.__app_loop = AppEventLoop.create()
+                self.__app_loop = AppEventLoop.create(True)
             else:
                 self.__app_loop = AppEventLoop(loop=options.loop)