diff --git a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp
index 9cbb2eba..56894dde 100644
--- a/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp
+++ b/examples/companion_radio/MyMesh.cpp
@@ -903,6 +903,7 @@ void MyMesh::handleCmdFrame(size_t len) {
       int result;
       uint32_t expected_ack;
       if (txt_type == TXT_TYPE_CLI_DATA) {
+        msg_timestamp = getRTCClock()->getCurrentTimeUnique(); // Use node's RTC instead of app timestamp to avoid tripping replay protection
         result = sendCommandData(*recipient, msg_timestamp, attempt, text, est_timeout);
         expected_ack = 0; // no Ack expected
       } else {
@@ -1880,4 +1881,4 @@ bool MyMesh::advert() {
   } else {
     return false;
   }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}