diff --git a/sanic/app.py b/sanic/app.py
index 1902a5e5..768e021f 100644
--- a/sanic/app.py
+++ b/sanic/app.py
@@ -1398,6 +1398,7 @@ class Sanic(BaseSanic, metaclass=TouchUpMeta):
         details: https://asgi.readthedocs.io/en/latest
         """
         self.asgi = True
+        self._configure_event_loop()
         self._asgi_app = await ASGIApp.create(self, scope, receive, send)
         asgi_app = self._asgi_app
         await asgi_app()