diff --git a/lib/PacketQueue.js b/lib/PacketQueue.js
index b3afa23..9583d5c 100644
--- a/lib/PacketQueue.js
+++ b/lib/PacketQueue.js
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 var util = require('util');
 var events = require('events');
 
+var jute = require('./jute');
+
 function PacketQueue() {
     events.EventEmitter.call(this);
 
@@ -28,7 +30,14 @@ PacketQueue.prototype.push = function (packet) {
         throw new Error('packet must be a valid object.');
     }
 
-    this.queue.push(packet);
+    if (packet.request.header.type === jute.OP_CODES.AUTH &&
+        packet.request.header.xid === jute.XID_AUTHENTICATION) {
+        // let auth request go first
+        this.queue.unshift(packet);
+    } else {
+        // otherwise go last
+        this.queue.push(packet);
+    }
 
     this.emit('readable');
 };