diff --git a/redminebot.py b/redminebot.py
index 6e3e773..38ac246 100755
--- a/redminebot.py
+++ b/redminebot.py
@@ -156,6 +156,13 @@ class Bot:
             if ready_to_read:
                 last_read = datetime.utcnow()
                 irc_msg = self.msg_handler()
+
+                # If the server pings us then we've got to respond!
+                if irc_msg.find("PING :") != -1:
+                    self.pong(irc_msg)
+                    LOGGER.info("Responding to ping message: {}".format(irc_msg))
+                    continue
+
                 irc_msg, actor, channel = parse_irc_messages(irc_msg)
 
                 if irc_msg is not None:
@@ -208,10 +215,6 @@ class Bot:
                 self._check_project_updates(channel)
                 self.send_privmsg(channel, "Fait !")
 
-        # If the server pings us then we've got to respond!
-        if irc_msg.find("PING :") != -1:
-            self.pong(irc_msg)
-
     # Responds to a user that inputs "Hello Mybot".
     def bot_hello(self, channel: str, greeting: str) -> None:
         self.send_privmsg(channel, greeting)