diff --git a/msgq/tests/test_poller.py b/msgq/tests/test_poller.py
index 504e09f27..a68ff4fe7 100644
--- a/msgq/tests/test_poller.py
+++ b/msgq/tests/test_poller.py
@@ -108,7 +108,12 @@ def test_multiple_messages(self):
       if r is not None:
         self.assertEqual(b'a'*i, r)
 
-        msg_seen = Truemes
+        msg_seen = True
+        i += 1
+
+      if r is None and msg_seen:  # ZMQ sometimes receives nothing on the first receive
+        break
+
     del pub
     del sub
     context.term()