diff --git a/src/mesh/PhoneAPI.cpp b/src/mesh/PhoneAPI.cpp
index 305689fff..a3a8a2087 100644
--- a/src/mesh/PhoneAPI.cpp
+++ b/src/mesh/PhoneAPI.cpp
@@ -192,12 +192,6 @@ bool PhoneAPI::handleToRadio(const uint8_t *buf, size_t bufLength)
 
 size_t PhoneAPI::getFromRadio(uint8_t *buf)
 {
-    if (!available()) {
-        return 0;
-    }
-    // In case we send a FromRadio packet
-    memset(&fromRadioScratch, 0, sizeof(fromRadioScratch));
-
     // Respond to heartbeat by sending queue status
     if (heartbeatReceived) {
         memset(&fromRadioScratch, 0, sizeof(fromRadioScratch));
@@ -209,6 +203,12 @@ size_t PhoneAPI::getFromRadio(uint8_t *buf)
         return numbytes;
     }
 
+    if (!available()) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+    // In case we send a FromRadio packet
+    memset(&fromRadioScratch, 0, sizeof(fromRadioScratch));
+
     // Advance states as needed
     switch (state) {
     case STATE_SEND_NOTHING: