diff --git a/spec/workspace-spec.coffee b/spec/workspace-spec.coffee
index 41cfae18c..8faaf44c2 100644
--- a/spec/workspace-spec.coffee
+++ b/spec/workspace-spec.coffee
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ fdescribe "Workspace", ->
       runs ->
         expect(newEditorHandler).toHaveBeenCalledWith editor
 
-  describe "::reopenItemSync()", ->
+  describe "::reopenItem()", ->
     it "opens the uri associated with the last closed pane that isn't currently open", ->
       pane = workspace.activePane
       waitsForPromise ->
@@ -192,7 +192,11 @@ fdescribe "Workspace", ->
         # does not reopen items with no uri
         expect(workspace.activePaneItem.getUri()).toBeUndefined()
         pane.destroyActiveItem()
-        workspace.reopenItemSync()
+
+      waitsForPromise ->
+        workspace.reopenItem()
+
+      runs ->
         expect(workspace.activePaneItem.getUri()).not.toBeUndefined()
 
         # destroy all items
@@ -205,7 +209,11 @@ fdescribe "Workspace", ->
 
         # reopens items with uris
         expect(workspace.activePaneItem).toBeUndefined()
-        workspace.reopenItemSync()
+
+      waitsForPromise ->
+        workspace.reopenItem()
+
+      runs ->
         expect(workspace.activePaneItem.getUri()).toBe atom.project.resolve('a')
 
       # does not reopen items that are already open
@@ -214,7 +222,11 @@ fdescribe "Workspace", ->
 
       runs ->
         expect(workspace.activePaneItem.getUri()).toBe atom.project.resolve('b')
-        workspace.reopenItemSync()
+
+      waitsForPromise ->
+        workspace.reopenItem()
+
+      runs ->
         expect(workspace.activePaneItem.getUri()).toBe atom.project.resolve('file1')
 
   describe "::increase/decreaseFontSize()", ->
diff --git a/src/workspace-view.coffee b/src/workspace-view.coffee
index c4bcaad36..082de77f8 100644
--- a/src/workspace-view.coffee
+++ b/src/workspace-view.coffee
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class WorkspaceView extends View
   Delegator.includeInto(this)
 
   @delegatesProperty 'fullScreen', 'destroyedItemUris', toProperty: 'model'
-  @delegatesMethods 'open', 'openSync', 'reopenItemSync',
+  @delegatesMethods 'open', 'openSync',
     'saveActivePaneItem', 'saveActivePaneItemAs', 'saveAll', 'destroyActivePaneItem',
     'destroyActivePane', 'increaseFontSize', 'decreaseFontSize', toProperty: 'model'
 
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ class WorkspaceView extends View
     @command 'window:toggle-auto-indent', =>
       atom.config.toggle("editor.autoIndent")
 
-    @command 'pane:reopen-closed-item', => @reopenItemSync()
+    @command 'pane:reopen-closed-item', => @getModel().reopenItem()
 
     @command 'core:close', => if @getModel().getActivePaneItem()? then @destroyActivePaneItem() else @destroyActivePane()
     @command 'core:save', => @saveActivePaneItem()
diff --git a/src/workspace.coffee b/src/workspace.coffee
index cc29853b0..f5ddd9115 100644
--- a/src/workspace.coffee
+++ b/src/workspace.coffee
@@ -167,9 +167,13 @@ class Workspace extends Model
 
   # Public: Reopen the last-closed item's URI if it hasn't already been
   # reopened.
-  reopenItemSync: ->
+  #
+  # Returns a promise that is resolved when the item is opened
+  reopenItem: ->
     if uri = @destroyedItemUris.pop()
-      @openSync(uri)
+      @open(uri)
+    else
+      Q()
 
   # Public: Register an opener for a uri.
   #