diff --git a/src/modules/NeighborInfoModule.cpp b/src/modules/NeighborInfoModule.cpp
index a1929798d..97dc17001 100644
--- a/src/modules/NeighborInfoModule.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/NeighborInfoModule.cpp
@@ -105,12 +105,12 @@ void NeighborInfoModule::sendNeighborInfo(NodeNum dest, bool wantReplies)
 {
     meshtastic_NeighborInfo neighborInfo = meshtastic_NeighborInfo_init_zero;
     collectNeighborInfo(&neighborInfo);
-    meshtastic_MeshPacket *p = allocDataProtobuf(neighborInfo);
-    p->to = dest;
-    p->decoded.want_response = wantReplies;
-    p->priority = meshtastic_MeshPacket_Priority_BACKGROUND;
     // only send neighbours if we have some to send
     if (neighborInfo.neighbors_count > 0) {
+        meshtastic_MeshPacket *p = allocDataProtobuf(neighborInfo);
+        p->to = dest;
+        p->decoded.want_response = wantReplies;
+        p->priority = meshtastic_MeshPacket_Priority_BACKGROUND;
         printNeighborInfo("SENDING", &neighborInfo);
         service->sendToMesh(p, RX_SRC_LOCAL, true);
     }