diff --git a/Session/Conversations/ConversationVC+Interaction.swift b/Session/Conversations/ConversationVC+Interaction.swift
index dbd3859ac..8dd7cef14 100644
--- a/Session/Conversations/ConversationVC+Interaction.swift
+++ b/Session/Conversations/ConversationVC+Interaction.swift
@@ -1146,18 +1146,31 @@ extension ConversationVC {
         guard !contact.isApproved else { return Promise.value(()) }
         
         return Promise.value(())
-            .then { _ -> Promise<Void> in
+            .then { [weak self] _ -> Promise<Void> in
                 guard !isNewThread else { return Promise.value(()) }
+                guard let strongSelf = self else { return Promise(error: MessageSender.Error.noThread) }
                 
                 // If we aren't creating a new thread (ie. sending a message request) then send a
                 // messageRequestResponse back to the sender (this allows the sender to know that
                 // they have been approved and can now use this contact in closed groups)
+                let (promise, seal) = Promise<Void>.pending()
                 let messageRequestResponse: MessageRequestResponse = MessageRequestResponse(
                     isApproved: true
                 )
                 messageRequestResponse.sentTimestamp = timestamp
                 
-                return MessageSender.sendNonDurably(messageRequestResponse, in: contactThread, using: transaction)
+                // Show a loading indicator
+                ModalActivityIndicatorViewController.present(fromViewController: strongSelf, canCancel: false) { _ in
+                    seal.fulfill(())
+                }
+                
+                return promise
+                    .then { MessageSender.sendNonDurably(messageRequestResponse, in: contactThread, using: transaction) }
+                    .map { _ in
+                        if self?.presentedViewController is ModalActivityIndicatorViewController {
+                            self?.dismiss(animated: true, completion: nil) // Dismiss the loader
+                        }
+                    }
             }
             .map { _ in
                 // Default 'didApproveMe' to true for the person approving the message request
diff --git a/SignalUtilitiesKit/Shared View Controllers/ModalActivityIndicatorViewController.swift b/SignalUtilitiesKit/Shared View Controllers/ModalActivityIndicatorViewController.swift
index c99a28310..a38915a40 100644
--- a/SignalUtilitiesKit/Shared View Controllers/ModalActivityIndicatorViewController.swift	
+++ b/SignalUtilitiesKit/Shared View Controllers/ModalActivityIndicatorViewController.swift	
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@ public class ModalActivityIndicatorViewController: OWSViewController {
         return result
     }()
 
-    var presentTimer: Timer?
-
     var wasDimissed: Bool = false
 
     // MARK: Initializers
@@ -127,41 +125,7 @@ public class ModalActivityIndicatorViewController: OWSViewController {
 
         self.spinner.startAnimating()
 
-        // Hide the the modal and wait for a second before revealing it,
-        // to avoid "blipping" in the modal during short blocking operations.
-        //
-        // NOTE: It will still intercept user interactions while hidden, as it
-        //       should.
-        let kPresentationDelaySeconds = TimeInterval(1)
-        self.presentTimer?.invalidate()
-        self.presentTimer = Timer.weakScheduledTimer(withTimeInterval: kPresentationDelaySeconds, target: self, selector: #selector(presentTimerFired), userInfo: nil, repeats: false)
-    }
-
-    public override func viewWillDisappear(_ animated: Bool) {
-        super.viewWillDisappear(animated)
-
-        clearTimer()
-    }
-
-    public override func viewDidDisappear(_ animated: Bool) {
-        super.viewDidDisappear(animated)
-
-        self.spinner.stopAnimating()
-
-        clearTimer()
-    }
-
-    private func clearTimer() {
-        self.presentTimer?.invalidate()
-        self.presentTimer = nil
-    }
-
-    @objc func presentTimerFired() {
-        AssertIsOnMainThread()
-
-        clearTimer()
-
-        // Fade in the modal.
+        // Fade in the modal
         UIView.animate(withDuration: 0.35) {
             self.view.layer.opacity = 1.0
         }