diff --git a/src/wikiq/__init__.py b/src/wikiq/__init__.py
index 7b763c9..fde3bd9 100755
--- a/src/wikiq/__init__.py
+++ b/src/wikiq/__init__.py
@@ -48,10 +48,11 @@ class PersistMethod:
 
 
 async def diff_async(differ, last_text, text):
-    async def _diff():
-        return differ.inline_json_diff(last_text, text)
     try:
-        result = await asyncio.wait_for(_diff(), DIFF_TIMEOUT)
+        result =  await asyncio.wait_for(
+            asyncio.to_thread(differ.inline_json_diff, last_text, text),
+            timeout=DIFF_TIMEOUT
+        )
     except TimeoutError:
         print(f"WARNING! wikidiff2 timeout for rev: {row_buffer['revid'][i]}. Falling back to default limits.", file=sys.stderr)
         return