diff --git a/src/ioc/rsrv/online_notify.c b/src/ioc/rsrv/online_notify.c
index 7c3c57fca..619fdc4e5 100644
--- a/src/ioc/rsrv/online_notify.c
+++ b/src/ioc/rsrv/online_notify.c
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ void rsrv_online_notify_task(void *pParm)
             }
         }
 
-        beaconCounter++; /* expected to overflow */
+        msg.m_cid = htonl ( beaconCounter++ ); /* expected to overflow */
 
         while (beacon_ctl == ctlPause) {
             epicsThreadSleep(0.1);