diff --git a/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py b/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py
index 0b55082aa..1ca3333b5 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py
@@ -877,6 +877,8 @@ class FrameProcessor(BaseObject):
 
         """
         while True:
+            (frame, direction, callback) = await self.__input_queue.get()
+
             if self.__should_block_system_frames and self.__input_event:
                 logger.trace(f"{self}: system frame processing paused")
                 await self.__input_event.wait()
@@ -884,8 +886,6 @@ class FrameProcessor(BaseObject):
                 self.__should_block_system_frames = False
                 logger.trace(f"{self}: system frame processing resumed")
 
-            (frame, direction, callback) = await self.__input_queue.get()
-
             if isinstance(frame, SystemFrame):
                 await self.__process_frame(frame, direction, callback)
             elif self.__process_queue:
@@ -900,6 +900,8 @@ class FrameProcessor(BaseObject):
     async def __process_frame_task_handler(self):
         """Handle non-system frames from the process queue."""
         while True:
+            (frame, direction, callback) = await self.__process_queue.get()
+
             if self.__should_block_frames and self.__process_event:
                 logger.trace(f"{self}: frame processing paused")
                 await self.__process_event.wait()
@@ -907,8 +909,6 @@ class FrameProcessor(BaseObject):
                 self.__should_block_frames = False
                 logger.trace(f"{self}: frame processing resumed")
 
-            (frame, direction, callback) = await self.__process_queue.get()
-
             await self.__process_frame(frame, direction, callback)
 
             self.__process_queue.task_done()