diff --git a/r2/r2/lib/amqp.py b/r2/r2/lib/amqp.py
index 5f882376b..a82fa0b8f 100644
--- a/r2/r2/lib/amqp.py
+++ b/r2/r2/lib/amqp.py
@@ -216,18 +216,19 @@ def consume_items(queue, callback, verbose=True):
         if chan.is_open:
             chan.close()
 
-def handle_items(queue, callback, ack = True, limit = 1, drain = False,
-                 verbose=True, sleep_time = 1):
+def handle_items(queue, callback, ack=True, limit=1, min_size=0,
+                 drain=False, verbose=True, sleep_time=1):
     """Call callback() on every item in a particular queue. If the
-       connection to the queue is lost, it will die. Intended to be
-       used as a long-running process."""
+    connection to the queue is lost, it will die. Intended to be
+    used as a long-running process."""
+    if limit < min_size:
+        raise ValueError("min_size must be less than limit")
     from pylons import c
 
     chan = connection_manager.get_channel()
     countdown = None
 
     while True:
-
         # NB: None != 0, so we don't need an "is not None" check here
         if countdown == 0:
             break
@@ -245,15 +246,21 @@ def handle_items(queue, callback, ack = True, limit = 1, drain = False,
         g.reset_caches()
         c.use_write_db = {}
 
-        items = []
+        items = [msg]
 
-        while msg and countdown != 0:
-            items.append(msg)
+        while countdown != 0:
             if countdown is not None:
                 countdown -= 1
             if len(items) >= limit:
                 break # the innermost loop only
             msg = chan.basic_get(queue)
+            if msg is None:
+                if len(items) < min_size:
+                    time.sleep(sleep_time)
+                else:
+                    break
+            else:
+                items.append(msg)
 
         try:
             count_str = ''