diff --git a/lnsq/nsq.go b/lnsq/nsq.go
index 3fd7a80..5c43d6f 100644
--- a/lnsq/nsq.go
+++ b/lnsq/nsq.go
@@ -27,7 +27,18 @@ func ConnectToNSQ(topic, channel string, handler nsq.Handler) (*nsq.Consumer, er
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to connect to NSQD: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	return consumer, nil
+	timeout := 10 * time.Second
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		stats := consumer.Stats()
+		if stats.Connections > 0 {
+			return consumer, nil
+		}
+		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+
+	consumer.Stop()
+	return nil, fmt.Errorf("timeout waiting for NSQ connection after %v", timeout)
 }
 
 func NewProducer() (*nsq.Producer, error) {