diff --git a/nanobot/channels/telegram.py b/nanobot/channels/telegram.py
index 72d60a19b..a6bd810f2 100644
--- a/nanobot/channels/telegram.py
+++ b/nanobot/channels/telegram.py
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ class TelegramChannel(BaseChannel):
         # Start polling (this runs until stopped)
         await self._app.updater.start_polling(
             allowed_updates=["message"],
-            drop_pending_updates=True  # Ignore old messages on startup
+            drop_pending_updates=False  # Process pending messages on startup
         )
 
         # Keep running until stopped