diff --git a/osbuild/api.py b/osbuild/api.py
index 9bc83772..1a7254d8 100644
--- a/osbuild/api.py
+++ b/osbuild/api.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import os
 import sys
 import tempfile
 import threading
-from typing import Optional
+from typing import Dict, Optional
 from .util.types import PathLike
 from .util import jsoncomm
 
@@ -26,11 +26,16 @@ class BaseAPI(abc.ABC):
     established on entering the context and will be shut down
     when the context is left.
 
-    The `_dispatch` method needs to be implemented by child
-    classes, and is called for incoming messages.
+    New messages are delivered via the `_message` method, that
+    is meant to be implemented by deriving classes.
+
     Optionally, the `_cleanup` method can be implemented, to
     clean up resources after the context is left and the
     communication channel shut down.
+
+    On incoming messages, first the `_dispatch` method will be
+    called; the default implementation will receive the message
+    call `_message.`
     """
     def __init__(self, socket_address: Optional[PathLike] = None):
         self.socket_address = socket_address
@@ -45,9 +50,8 @@ class BaseAPI(abc.ABC):
     def endpoint(cls):
         """The name of the API endpoint"""
 
-    @abc.abstractmethod
-    def _dispatch(self, server):
-        """Called for incoming messages on the socket"""
+    def _message(self, msg: Dict, fds: jsoncomm.FdSet, sock: jsoncomm.Socket, addr: str):
+        """Called for a new incoming message"""
 
     def _cleanup(self):
         """Called after the event loop is shut down"""
@@ -57,6 +61,11 @@ class BaseAPI(abc.ABC):
         """Called to create the temporary socket dir"""
         return tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(prefix="api-", dir="/run/osbuild")
 
+    def _dispatch(self, sock: jsoncomm.Socket):
+        """Called when data is available on the socket"""
+        msg, fds, addr = sock.recv()
+        self._message(msg, fds, sock, addr)
+
     def _run_event_loop(self):
         with jsoncomm.Socket.new_server(self.socket_address) as server:
             self.barrier.wait()