diff --git a/lib/jam_websockets/router.rb b/lib/jam_websockets/router.rb
index 3faa89faa..48ad33022 100644
--- a/lib/jam_websockets/router.rb
+++ b/lib/jam_websockets/router.rb
@@ -551,6 +551,10 @@ module JamWebsockets
           end if connection.stale?
         end
 
+        heartbeat_ack = @message_factory.heartbeat_ack()
+
+        send_to_client(client, heartbeat_ack)
+
         # send errors to clients in response to heartbeats if rabbitmq is down
         if !@amqp_connection_manager.connected?
           error_msg = @message_factory.server_bad_state_error(heartbeat_message_id, "messaging system down")