diff --git a/ports/esp32/esp32_rmt.c b/ports/esp32/esp32_rmt.c
index 78c8c8acee..3cd43e8474 100644
--- a/ports/esp32/esp32_rmt.c
+++ b/ports/esp32/esp32_rmt.c
@@ -326,13 +326,13 @@ STATIC mp_obj_t esp32_rmt_write_pulses(size_t n_args, const mp_obj_t *args) {
         check_esp_err(rmt_wait_tx_done(self->channel_id, portMAX_DELAY));
     }
 
-    check_esp_err(rmt_write_items(self->channel_id, self->items, num_items, false));
-
     if (self->loop_en) {
         check_esp_err(rmt_set_tx_intr_en(self->channel_id, false));
         check_esp_err(rmt_set_tx_loop_mode(self->channel_id, true));
     }
 
+    check_esp_err(rmt_write_items(self->channel_id, self->items, num_items, false));
+
     return mp_const_none;
 }
 STATIC MP_DEFINE_CONST_FUN_OBJ_VAR_BETWEEN(esp32_rmt_write_pulses_obj, 2, 3, esp32_rmt_write_pulses);