diff --git a/lib/tag.js b/lib/tag.js
index 6ce4b04bd..c34147f9c 100644
--- a/lib/tag.js
+++ b/lib/tag.js
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ module.exports = function(root){ // THIS IS THE UNIVERSAL NOTIFICATION MODULE
 		if(!who.go){ return }
 		mesh.say({dam:'tag',ok:'queued in-memory'},peer);
 		if(who.batch){ return }
-		key[who.key = Math.random().toString(36).slice(2)] = who;
+		key[who.key = who.key || Math.random().toString(36).slice(2)] = who;
 		who.batch = setTimeout(function(){
 			if(!who.go){ return }
 			email.send({