diff --git a/net_io.c b/net_io.c
index d86a91e..84a006d 100644
--- a/net_io.c
+++ b/net_io.c
@@ -2038,8 +2038,6 @@ static void writeFATSV()
     // scan once a second at most
     next_update = now + 1000;
 
-    // Pretend we are "processing a message" so the validity checks work as expected
-    _messageNow = now;
     for (a = Modes.aircrafts; a; a = a->next) {
         if (a->messages < 2)  // basic filter for bad decodes
             continue;
@@ -2049,6 +2047,9 @@ static void writeFATSV()
             continue;
         }
 
+        // Pretend we are "processing a message" so the validity checks work as expected
+        _messageNow = a->seen;
+
         // some special cases:
         int altValid = trackDataValid(&a->altitude_baro_valid);
         int airgroundValid = trackDataValid(&a->airground_valid) && a->airground_valid.source >= SOURCE_MODE_S_CHECKED; // for non-ADS-B transponders, only trust DF11 CA field