diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/abstract_user.py b/mautrix_telegram/abstract_user.py
index 6714c501..53f07b44 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/abstract_user.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/abstract_user.py
@@ -306,8 +306,8 @@ async def has_full_access(self, allow_bot: bool = False) -> bool:
     async def start(self, delete_unless_authenticated: bool = False) -> AbstractUser:
         if not self.client:
             await self._init_client()
+        attempts = 1
         while True:
-            attempts = 1
             try:
                 await self.client.connect()
             except Exception: