diff --git a/RFM69.cpp b/RFM69.cpp
index 51e366b..d610ce6 100644
--- a/RFM69.cpp
+++ b/RFM69.cpp
@@ -122,8 +122,10 @@ bool RFM69::initialize(uint8_t freqBand, uint16_t nodeID, uint8_t networkID)
   uint32_t start = millis();
   uint8_t timeout = 50;
   do writeReg(REG_SYNCVALUE1, 0xAA); while (readReg(REG_SYNCVALUE1) != 0xaa && millis()-start < timeout);
+  if (millis()-start >= timeout) return false;
   start = millis();
   do writeReg(REG_SYNCVALUE1, 0x55); while (readReg(REG_SYNCVALUE1) != 0x55 && millis()-start < timeout);
+  if (millis()-start >= timeout) return false;
 
   for (uint8_t i = 0; CONFIG[i][0] != 255; i++)
     writeReg(CONFIG[i][0], CONFIG[i][1]);
@@ -136,8 +138,7 @@ bool RFM69::initialize(uint8_t freqBand, uint16_t nodeID, uint8_t networkID)
   setMode(RF69_MODE_STANDBY);
   start = millis();
   while (((readReg(REG_IRQFLAGS1) & RF_IRQFLAGS1_MODEREADY) == 0x00) && millis()-start < timeout); // wait for ModeReady
-  if (millis()-start >= timeout)
-    return false;
+  if (millis()-start >= timeout) return false;
   attachInterrupt(_interruptNum, RFM69::isr0, RISING);
 
   _address = nodeID;