diff --git a/oxenmq/message.h b/oxenmq/message.h
index 73b96d0..aa399ad 100644
--- a/oxenmq/message.h
+++ b/oxenmq/message.h
@@ -75,6 +75,15 @@ public:
 
         explicit DeferredSend(Message& m) : oxenmq{m.oxenmq}, conn{m.conn}, reply_tag{m.reply_tag} {}
 
+        template <typename... Args>
+        void operator()(Args &&...args) const {
+          if (reply_tag.empty())
+            back(std::forward<Args>(args)...);
+          else
+            reply(std::forward<Args>(args)...);
+        };
+
+
         /// Equivalent to msg.send_back(...), but can be invoked later.
         template <typename... Args>
         void back(std::string_view command, Args&&... args) const;
diff --git a/tests/test_commands.cpp b/tests/test_commands.cpp
index 9dea29a..93e70c4 100644
--- a/tests/test_commands.cpp
+++ b/tests/test_commands.cpp
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ TEST_CASE("deferred replies", "[commands][send][deferred]") {
             { auto lock = catch_lock(); UNSCOPED_INFO("sleeping"); }
             std::this_thread::sleep_for(50ms * TIME_DILATION);
             { auto lock = catch_lock(); UNSCOPED_INFO("sending"); }
-            send.reply(msg);
+            send(msg);
         }};
         t.detach();
     });