diff --git a/packages/syft/src/syft/service/queue/zmq_queue.py b/packages/syft/src/syft/service/queue/zmq_queue.py
index eb31ed17d2d..a6a346b6d11 100644
--- a/packages/syft/src/syft/service/queue/zmq_queue.py
+++ b/packages/syft/src/syft/service/queue/zmq_queue.py
@@ -407,8 +407,10 @@ def update_consumer_state_for_worker(
     def worker_waiting(self, worker: Worker):
         """This worker is now waiting for work."""
         # Queue to broker and service waiting lists
-        self.waiting.append(worker)
-        worker.service.waiting.append(worker)
+        if worker not in self.waiting:
+            self.waiting.append(worker)
+        if worker not in worker.service.waiting:
+            worker.service.waiting.append(worker)
         worker.reset_expiry()
         self.update_consumer_state_for_worker(worker.syft_worker_id, ConsumerState.IDLE)
         self.dispatch(worker.service, None)
@@ -529,7 +531,10 @@ def process_worker(self, address: bytes, msg: List[bytes]):
 
         elif QueueMsgProtocol.W_HEARTBEAT == command:
             if worker_ready:
-                worker.reset_expiry()
+                # If worker is ready then reset expiry
+                # and add it to worker waiting list
+                # if not already present
+                self.worker_waiting(worker)
             else:
                 # extract the syft worker id and worker pool name from the message
                 # Get the corresponding worker pool and worker
@@ -700,7 +705,7 @@ def _run(self):
                         finally:
                             self.clear_job()
                     elif command == QueueMsgProtocol.W_HEARTBEAT:
-                        pass
+                        self.set_producer_alive()
                     elif command == QueueMsgProtocol.W_DISCONNECT:
                         self.reconnect_to_producer()
                     else: