diff --git a/bridge/whatsapp/whatsapp.go b/bridge/whatsapp/whatsapp.go
index 85df6a8d..ae634d6a 100644
--- a/bridge/whatsapp/whatsapp.go
+++ b/bridge/whatsapp/whatsapp.go
@@ -113,6 +113,12 @@ func (b *Bwhatsapp) Connect() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("error on update of contacts: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	// see https://github.com/Rhymen/go-whatsapp/issues/137#issuecomment-480316013
+	for len(b.conn.Store.Contacts) == 0 {
+		b.conn.Contacts() // nolint:errcheck
+		<-time.After(1 * time.Second)
+	}
+
 	// map all the users
 	for id, contact := range b.conn.Store.Contacts {
 		if !isGroupJid(id) && id != "status@broadcast" {
@@ -192,6 +198,12 @@ func isGroupJid(identifier string) bool {
 func (b *Bwhatsapp) JoinChannel(channel config.ChannelInfo) error {
 	byJid := isGroupJid(channel.Name)
 
+	// see https://github.com/Rhymen/go-whatsapp/issues/137#issuecomment-480316013
+	for len(b.conn.Store.Contacts) == 0 {
+		b.conn.Contacts() // nolint:errcheck
+		<-time.After(1 * time.Second)
+	}
+
 	// verify if we are member of the given group
 	if byJid {
 		// channel.Name specifies static group jID, not the name