diff --git a/src/aleph/db/accessors/messages.py b/src/aleph/db/accessors/messages.py
index b5c084ba7..edf4b201c 100644
--- a/src/aleph/db/accessors/messages.py
+++ b/src/aleph/db/accessors/messages.py
@@ -272,8 +272,13 @@ def get_unconfirmed_messages(
             )
         )
 
-    select_stmt = select(MessageDb).where(
-        MessageDb.signature.isnot(None) & (~select_message_confirmations.exists())
+    select_stmt = (
+        select(MessageDb)
+        .join(MessageStatusDb, MessageStatusDb.item_hash == MessageDb.item_hash)
+        .where(
+            MessageDb.signature.isnot(None) & (~select_message_confirmations.exists())
+        )
+        .order_by(MessageStatusDb.reception_time.asc())
     )
 
     return (session.execute(select_stmt.limit(limit))).scalars()
diff --git a/tests/db/test_messages.py b/tests/db/test_messages.py
index d38ca7ec0..7b610b749 100644
--- a/tests/db/test_messages.py
+++ b/tests/db/test_messages.py
@@ -257,6 +257,13 @@ async def test_get_unconfirmed_messages(
 ):
     with session_factory() as session:
         session.add(fixture_message)
+        session.add(
+            MessageStatusDb(
+                item_hash=fixture_message.item_hash,
+                status=MessageStatus.PROCESSED,
+                reception_time=fixture_message.time,
+            )
+        )
         session.commit()
 
     with session_factory() as session: