diff --git a/backend/src/matrix-bot/outbound-queue.js b/backend/src/matrix-bot/outbound-queue.js
index 0d0864f..bdf08b9 100644
--- a/backend/src/matrix-bot/outbound-queue.js
+++ b/backend/src/matrix-bot/outbound-queue.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ const processOutboundQueue = async ({ type, ...args }) => {
   }
 };
 
-const outboundQueue = fastq(processOutboundQueue, 1);
+const outboundQueue = fastq.promise(processOutboundQueue, 1);
 // Pause outbound queue until matrixClient and targetRoomId are set
 outboundQueue.pause();
 
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ const setTargetRoomId = async (roomId) => {
   console.log('target room ID:', targetRoomId);
   await applicationData.put('targetRoomId', targetRoomId);
   if (matrixClient) {
+    console.log('Starting Matrix outbound queue processor');
     outboundQueue.resume();
   }
 };
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ const initializeOutboundQueue = async (matrixClient_) => {
     console.warn('target room ID is not set -- will not be able to send messages until it is set. Use !target <bot-id>');
   }
   if (targetRoomId) {
+    console.log('Starting Matrix outbound queue processor');
     outboundQueue.resume();
   }
 };