diff --git a/src/mesh/RadioInterface.cpp b/src/mesh/RadioInterface.cpp
index 5ee513e89..6660549eb 100644
--- a/src/mesh/RadioInterface.cpp
+++ b/src/mesh/RadioInterface.cpp
@@ -246,7 +246,8 @@ uint32_t RadioInterface::getPacketTime(const meshtastic_MeshPacket *p, bool rece
 /** The delay to use for retransmitting dropped packets */
 uint32_t RadioInterface::getRetransmissionMsec(const meshtastic_MeshPacket *p)
 {
-    size_t numbytes = pb_encode_to_bytes(bytes, sizeof(bytes), &meshtastic_Data_msg, &p->decoded);
+    size_t numbytes =p->which_payload_variant == meshtastic_MeshPacket_decoded_tag ? 
+      pb_encode_to_bytes(bytes, sizeof(bytes), &meshtastic_Data_msg, &p->decoded) : p->encrypted.size+MESHTASTIC_HEADER_LENGTH;
     uint32_t packetAirtime = getPacketTime(numbytes + sizeof(PacketHeader));
     // Make sure enough time has elapsed for this packet to be sent and an ACK is received.
     // LOG_DEBUG("Waiting for flooding message with airtime %d and slotTime is %d", packetAirtime, slotTimeMsec);