diff --git a/impl/src/main.c b/impl/src/main.c
index 030ade1..98d6052 100644
--- a/impl/src/main.c
+++ b/impl/src/main.c
@@ -261,13 +261,14 @@ int main(void)
 
 				dump_array_cf(whole_burst, burst_len, 1.0f, "/tmp/tx.cpx");
 
+				// ensure that the buffer is full before TX is turned on to avoid transmitting empty buffers
+				RESULT_CHECK(transmit_in_chunks(&sdr, whole_burst, burst_len));
+
 				if(!on_air) {
 					RESULT_CHECK(sdr_stop_rx(&sdr));
 					RESULT_CHECK(sdr_start_tx(&sdr, burst_len * SDR_OVERSAMPLING));
 				}
 
-				RESULT_CHECK(transmit_in_chunks(&sdr, whole_burst, burst_len));
-
 				on_air = true;
 			} else if(on_air) { // ret == 0
 				RESULT_CHECK(sdr_flush_tx_buffer(&sdr));