diff --git a/autogpt_platform/backend/backend/api/features/chat/routes.py b/autogpt_platform/backend/backend/api/features/chat/routes.py
index 638ea64272..af3753865c 100644
--- a/autogpt_platform/backend/backend/api/features/chat/routes.py
+++ b/autogpt_platform/backend/backend/api/features/chat/routes.py
@@ -1170,7 +1170,7 @@ async def queue_pending_message(
                 ),
             )
         )
-        if _call_count >= _PENDING_CALL_LIMIT:
+        if _call_count > _PENDING_CALL_LIMIT:
             raise HTTPException(
                 status_code=429,
                 detail=f"Too many pending messages: limit is {_PENDING_CALL_LIMIT} per {_PENDING_CALL_WINDOW_SECONDS}s",