diff --git a/bot.py b/bot.py
index be3de58..6d654b9 100644
--- a/bot.py
+++ b/bot.py
@@ -163,8 +163,9 @@ class IRCBot():
                         continue
                     channel_time = self.check_time(channel)
                     now = time()
-                    if now - channel_time > timeout and self.counter(channel) < messages_within_timeout:
-                        self.send("#bots", f"i hear activity in {channel}...")
+                    if self.counter(channel) < messages_within_timeout:
+                        if now - channel_time > timeout:
+                            self.send("#bots", f"i hear activity in {channel}...")
                         # self.send("#tildetown", f"i hear activity in {channel}...")
                         self.config["counts"][channel] = 0
                         self.write_config()