diff --git a/gossip/gossip.go b/gossip/gossip.go
index a967079cb..e2e43a00b 100644
--- a/gossip/gossip.go
+++ b/gossip/gossip.go
@@ -69,6 +69,12 @@ func (g *GossipNodeSet) Open() error {
 		return err
 	}
 	g.memberlist = ml
+	g.broadcasts = &memberlist.TransmitLimitedQueue{
+		NumNodes: func() int {
+			return ml.NumMembers()
+		},
+		RetransmitMult: 3,
+	}
 
 	// attach to gossip seed node
 	nodes := []*pilosa.Node{&pilosa.Node{Host: g.config.gossipSeed}} //TODO: support a list of seeds
@@ -76,12 +82,6 @@ func (g *GossipNodeSet) Open() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	g.broadcasts = &memberlist.TransmitLimitedQueue{
-		NumNodes: func() int {
-			return ml.NumMembers()
-		},
-		RetransmitMult: 3,
-	}
 	return nil
 }