diff --git a/modules/Twitter.py b/modules/Twitter.py
index 32adfeb..e384a3d 100644
--- a/modules/Twitter.py
+++ b/modules/Twitter.py
@@ -65,7 +65,8 @@ class Twitter(Module):
         self.client = oauth.Client(self.consumer)
 
         # settings
-        self.next_timeline_check = 0
+        # force timeline check to wait 5 minutes (for channel joins and antispam)
+        self.next_timeline_check = time.time() + 300
 
         # try getting the stored auth tokens and logging in
         (oauth_token, oauth_token_secret) = self._retrieve_stored_auth_tokens()