diff --git a/compute_tools/src/lsn_lease.rs b/compute_tools/src/lsn_lease.rs
index 6abfea82e0..153ba5a5be 100644
--- a/compute_tools/src/lsn_lease.rs
+++ b/compute_tools/src/lsn_lease.rs
@@ -28,7 +28,10 @@ pub fn launch_lsn_lease_bg_task_for_static(compute: &Arc<ComputeNode>) {
     let compute = compute.clone();
 
     let span = tracing::info_span!("lsn_lease_bg_task", %tenant_id, %timeline_id, %lsn);
+
+    let runtime = tokio::runtime::Handle::current();
     thread::spawn(move || {
+        let _rt_guard = runtime.enter();
         let _entered = span.entered();
         if let Err(e) = lsn_lease_bg_task(compute, tenant_id, timeline_id, lsn) {
             // TODO: might need stronger error feedback than logging an warning.