diff --git a/client.py b/client.py
index 0ff5f2b..449a75a 100644
--- a/client.py
+++ b/client.py
@@ -198,7 +198,14 @@ def _main(listener, fw, ssh_cmd, remotename, python, latency_control,
     handlers.append(mux)
 
     expected = 'SSHUTTLE0001'
+    
     try:
+        v = 'x'
+        while v and v != '\0':
+            v = serversock.recv(1)
+        v = 'x'
+        while v and v != '\0':
+            v = serversock.recv(1)
         initstring = serversock.recv(len(expected))
     except socket.error, e:
         if e.args[0] == errno.ECONNRESET:
diff --git a/server.py b/server.py
index c62c8b5..e1b327d 100644
--- a/server.py
+++ b/server.py
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ def main():
         debug1('  %s/%d\n' % r)
         
     # synchronization header
-    sys.stdout.write('SSHUTTLE0001')
+    sys.stdout.write('\0\0SSHUTTLE0001')
     sys.stdout.flush()
 
     handlers = []