diff --git a/js/msg.js b/js/msg.js
index ba0e65f0..4a6f69b8 100644
--- a/js/msg.js
+++ b/js/msg.js
@@ -161,8 +161,10 @@
         return Promise.reject(e);
       }
       await bgReadying;
-      bgReadying = bgReadySignal = null;
       return msg.send(m);
+    } finally {
+      // Assuming bg is ready if messaging succeeded
+      bgReadying = bgReadySignal = null;
     }
   }