diff --git a/src/matrix/e2ee/RoomEncryption.js b/src/matrix/e2ee/RoomEncryption.js
index 87c64cbe..f0446f98 100644
--- a/src/matrix/e2ee/RoomEncryption.js
+++ b/src/matrix/e2ee/RoomEncryption.js
@@ -159,10 +159,6 @@ export class RoomEncryption {
     }
 
     async _requestMissingSessionFromBackup(senderKey, sessionId, source) {
-        if (!this._sessionBackup) {
-            this._notifyMissingMegolmSession();
-            return;
-        }
         // if the message came from sync, wait 10s to see if the room key arrives,
         // and only after that proceed to request from backup
         if (source === DecryptionSource.Sync) {
@@ -171,6 +167,11 @@ export class RoomEncryption {
                 return;
             }
         }
+        // show prompt to enable secret storage
+        if (!this._sessionBackup) {
+            this._notifyMissingMegolmSession();
+            return;
+        }
 
         try {
             const session = await this._sessionBackup.getSession(this._room.id, sessionId);