diff --git a/src/backend/app/api/simulate.py b/src/backend/app/api/simulate.py
index f4300f9..2a4d978 100644
--- a/src/backend/app/api/simulate.py
+++ b/src/backend/app/api/simulate.py
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ def stop_simulation(
 
     if run_id in running_simulations:
         engine = running_simulations[run_id]
-        asyncio.create_task(engine.stop())
+        engine.stop()
         simulation.status = "stopped"
         db.commit()
 
diff --git a/src/backend/app/services/simulate/engine.py b/src/backend/app/services/simulate/engine.py
index 76be8b8..3996809 100644
--- a/src/backend/app/services/simulate/engine.py
+++ b/src/backend/app/services/simulate/engine.py
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ class SimulateEngine:
 
             self.signals.append(signal)
 
-    async def stop(self):
+    def stop(self):
         self.running = False
         self.status = "stopped"