diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/asyncrpc/client.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/asyncrpc/client.py
index 628b90ee05..0d7cd85780 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/asyncrpc/client.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/asyncrpc/client.py
@@ -67,11 +67,14 @@ class AsyncClient(object):
             self.socket = await self._connect_sock()
             await self.setup_connection()
 
-    async def close(self):
+    async def disconnect(self):
         if self.socket is not None:
             await self.socket.close()
             self.socket = None
 
+    async def close(self):
+        await self.disconnect()
+
     async def _send_wrapper(self, proc):
         count = 0
         while True:
@@ -160,6 +163,9 @@ class Client(object):
     def max_chunk(self, value):
         self.client.max_chunk = value
 
+    def disconnect(self):
+        self.loop.run_until_complete(self.client.close())
+
     def close(self):
         if self.loop:
             self.loop.run_until_complete(self.client.close())