diff --git a/ts/background.ts b/ts/background.ts
index 90bd282b68..a2c4d44537 100644
--- a/ts/background.ts
+++ b/ts/background.ts
@@ -1760,8 +1760,8 @@ export async function startApp(): Promise<void> {
 
       // 6. Start processing messages from websocket
       log.info(`${logId}: enabling message processing`);
-      server.registerRequestHandler(messageReceiver);
       messageReceiver.startProcessingQueue();
+      server.registerRequestHandler(messageReceiver);
 
       // 7. Wait for critical post-registration syncs before showing inbox
       if (!postRegistrationSyncsComplete) {