diff --git a/LCD.py b/LCD.py
index a71b332..a9c8a89 100644
--- a/LCD.py
+++ b/LCD.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class LCD:
         
     async def async_message(self, string, line = 1):
         async with lock:
-            result = await asyncio.to_thread(_message, string = string, line = line)
+            result = await asyncio.to_thread(self._message, string = string, line = line)
 
     def _message(self, string, line = 1):
         # display message string on indicated LCD line