diff --git a/hivemind_bus_client/http_client.py b/hivemind_bus_client/http_client.py
index 3aa7227..e903aca 100644
--- a/hivemind_bus_client/http_client.py
+++ b/hivemind_bus_client/http_client.py
@@ -358,8 +358,8 @@ def connect(self, bus=FakeBus(), protocol=None, site_id=None):
         self.protocol.bind(bus)
         url = f"{self.base_url}/connect"
         response = requests.post(url, params={"authorization": self.auth})
-        self.wait_for_handshake()
         self.connected.set()
+        self.wait_for_handshake()
         return response.json()
 
     def disconnect(self) -> dict: