diff --git a/zephyr/models.py b/zephyr/models.py
index 98cdae1318..d9cc72c5cf 100644
--- a/zephyr/models.py
+++ b/zephyr/models.py
@@ -493,11 +493,11 @@ def do_send_message(message, no_log=False):
         # TODO: Reduce duplication in what we send.
         rendered = { 'text/html':       message.to_dict(apply_markdown=True),
                      'text/x-markdown': message.to_dict(apply_markdown=False) }
-        requests.post(settings.TORNADO_SERVER + '/notify_new_message', data=[
-               ('secret',   settings.SHARED_SECRET),
-               ('message',  message.id),
-               ('rendered', simplejson.dumps(rendered)),
-               ('users',    ','.join(str(user.id) for user in recipients))])
+        requests.post(settings.TORNADO_SERVER + '/notify_new_message', data=dict(
+            secret   = settings.SHARED_SECRET,
+            message  = message.id,
+            rendered = simplejson.dumps(rendered),
+            users    = ','.join(str(user.id) for user in recipients)))
 
 class Subscription(models.Model):
     user_profile = models.ForeignKey(UserProfile)
diff --git a/zephyr/views.py b/zephyr/views.py
index 8e24665616..43f0ebe6f5 100644
--- a/zephyr/views.py
+++ b/zephyr/views.py
@@ -192,11 +192,11 @@ def update_pointer_backend(request, user_profile, updater, pointer=POST(converte
     user_profile.save()
 
     if settings.TORNADO_SERVER:
-        requests.post(settings.TORNADO_SERVER + '/notify_pointer_update', data=[
-               ('secret',  settings.SHARED_SECRET),
-               ('user', user_profile.user.id),
-               ('new_pointer', pointer),
-               ('pointer_updater', updater)])
+        requests.post(settings.TORNADO_SERVER + '/notify_pointer_update', data=dict(
+            secret          = settings.SHARED_SECRET,
+            user            = user_profile.user.id,
+            new_pointer     = pointer,
+            pointer_updater = updater))
 
     return json_success()