diff --git a/argos/server/routes/api.py b/argos/server/routes/api.py
index a23e830..8e0e177 100644
--- a/argos/server/routes/api.py
+++ b/argos/server/routes/api.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 """Web interface for machines"""
 from typing import List, Union
 
-from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, Request
+from fastapi import APIRouter, BackgroundTasks, Depends, Request
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 from argos.logging import logger
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ async def read_tasks(
 async def create_results(
     request: Request,
     results: List[AgentResult],
+    background_tasks: BackgroundTasks,
     db: Session = Depends(get_db),
     config: Config = Depends(get_config),
     agent_id: Union[None, str] = None,
@@ -59,8 +60,9 @@ async def create_results(
 
             # Don’t create an alert if the severity has not changed
             if last_severity != severity:
-                # XXX Use a job queue or make it async
-                handle_alert(config, result, task, severity, last_severity, request)
+                background_tasks.add_task(
+                    handle_alert, config, result, task, severity, last_severity, request
+                )
 
             db_results.append(result)
     db.commit()