diff --git a/irc/connection.py b/irc/connection.py
index 09ac25c..87be572 100644
--- a/irc/connection.py
+++ b/irc/connection.py
@@ -69,3 +69,7 @@ class Connection(object):
     def join(self, chan):
         """join a channel"""
         self.send("JOIN %s" % chan)
+
+    def mode(self, chan, level, msg):
+        """send a mode message"""
+        self.send("MODE %s %s %s" % (chan, level, msg))
diff --git a/irc/frontend.py b/irc/frontend.py
index 391468f..293bc0a 100644
--- a/irc/frontend.py
+++ b/irc/frontend.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8  -*-
 
 ## Imports
-import re
+import re, time
 
 from config.irc import *
 from config.secure import *
@@ -70,5 +70,6 @@ def main():
             if line[1] == "376":
                 if NS_AUTH: # if we're supposed to auth to nickserv, do that
                     connection.say("NickServ", "IDENTIFY %s %s" % (NS_USER, NS_PASS))
+                time.sleep(3) # sleep for a bit so we don't join channels un-authed
                 for chan in CHANS: # join all of our startup channels
                     connection.join(chan)