diff --git a/ts/receiver/mediumGroups.ts b/ts/receiver/mediumGroups.ts
index 74eaaebc3..db6dd0d1d 100644
--- a/ts/receiver/mediumGroups.ts
+++ b/ts/receiver/mediumGroups.ts
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ async function handleMediumGroupChange(
   const primary = await UserUtil.getPrimary();
 
   sanityCheckMediumGroupUpdate(primary, diff, groupUpdate);
-
+  // console.log(`Got group update`, groupUpdate);
   await saveIncomingRatchetKeys(groupId, senderKeys);
 
   // Only add update message if we have something to show
diff --git a/ts/session/medium_group/index.ts b/ts/session/medium_group/index.ts
index 51324250f..0d899a9fe 100644
--- a/ts/session/medium_group/index.ts
+++ b/ts/session/medium_group/index.ts
@@ -118,12 +118,14 @@ export async function createMediumGroup(
 
   const dbMessage = await addUpdateMessage(convo, groupDiff, 'outgoing');
 
+  // be sure to call this before sending the message.
+  // the sending pipeline needs to know from GroupUtils when a message is for a medium group
+  await updateOrCreateGroup(groupDetails);
+
   await sendGroupUpdate(convo, groupDiff, groupDetails, dbMessage.id);
 
   // ***** 3. Add update message to the conversation *****
 
-  await updateOrCreateGroup(groupDetails);
-
   convo.updateGroupAdmins(admins);
 
   window.owsDesktopApp.appView.openConversation(groupId, {});