diff --git a/ipyparallel/engine/app.py b/ipyparallel/engine/app.py
index 64d100d3..48d54cd2 100755
--- a/ipyparallel/engine/app.py
+++ b/ipyparallel/engine/app.py
@@ -729,7 +729,7 @@ def send_with_metadata(
                 control_socket, control_thread.io_loop
             )
 
-            kernel_kwargs["shell_streams"] = [zmqstream.ZMQStream(shell_socket)]
+            kernel_kwargs["shell_stream"] = zmqstream.ZMQStream(shell_socket)
 
             self.kernel = Kernel.instance(
                 parent=self,