diff --git a/channels/handler.py b/channels/handler.py
index 6dfdb50..6fc49f5 100644
--- a/channels/handler.py
+++ b/channels/handler.py
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ class AsgiHandler(base.BaseHandler):
             response = http.HttpResponseBadRequest()
         except RequestTimeout:
             # Parsing the rquest failed, so the response is a Request Timeout error
-            response = HttpResponse("408 Request Timeout (upload too slow)", status_code=408)
+            response = HttpResponse("408 Request Timeout (upload too slow)", status=408)
         except RequestAborted:
             # Client closed connection on us mid request. Abort!
             return