diff --git a/comms.c b/comms.c
index 4d809ab..f5493ff 100644
--- a/comms.c
+++ b/comms.c
@@ -311,6 +311,12 @@ retmsg:
 			goto retmsg;
 		}
 
+		/* pending session advanced (likely to _WAIT_CONFIRM) */
+		if (pbouttmp.pktlen > 0) {
+			*pbout = pbouttmp;
+			return;
+		}
+
 		/* pending session didn't work, maybe new */
 		struct comms_session tmpsess;