diff --git a/src/components/views/messages/MKeyVerificationRequest.js b/src/components/views/messages/MKeyVerificationRequest.js
index d02319119e..df1e14a717 100644
--- a/src/components/views/messages/MKeyVerificationRequest.js
+++ b/src/components/views/messages/MKeyVerificationRequest.js
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ export default class MKeyVerificationRequest extends React.Component {
         const request = this.props.mxEvent.verificationRequest;
         if (request) {
             try {
-                await request.accept();
                 this._openRequest();
+                await request.accept();
             } catch (err) {
                 console.error(err.message);
             }