diff --git a/lib/nntp.js b/lib/nntp.js
index 0d54d63..5d70dd7 100644
--- a/lib/nntp.js
+++ b/lib/nntp.js
@@ -206,7 +206,9 @@ NNTP.prototype.connect = function(options) {
           //self._parseCaps();
           return self.emit('ready');
         }
-        self._send(cmd, params, reentry);
+        self._send('MODE', 'READER', function() {
+          self._send(cmd, params, reentry);
+        });
       }
     };
   }