diff --git a/uncanny/can.go b/uncanny/can.go
index 5fbdaf1..6faabb7 100644
--- a/uncanny/can.go
+++ b/uncanny/can.go
@@ -28,8 +28,9 @@ func NewCan(intf string) (*Can, error) {
 
 func (c *Can) Start() {
 	go func() {
-		// send the init sequence
-		c.initialize()
+		// send the init sequence, but (hopefully) defer until after we start listening
+		// FIXME this is inherently racy :(
+		go c.initialize()
 		// ConnectAndPublish will block, so we'll just leave the Printf hanging here
 		log.Printf("CAN bus shut down: %v", c.bus.ConnectAndPublish())
 	}()
@@ -113,7 +114,9 @@ func (c *Can) Cancel() error {
 	return c.bus.Publish(DispenseMessage{DispenseSlotOff}.Encode())
 }
 
-func (c *Can) initialize() error {
+func (c *Can) initialize() {
 	// enable automatic status updates
-	return c.bus.Publish(AutoMessage{true}.Encode())
+	c.bus.Publish(AutoMessage{true}.Encode())
+	c.bus.Publish(RequestFeedbackMessage())
+	c.bus.Publish(RequestPowerMessage())
 }