diff --git a/dramatiq/brokers/rabbitmq.py b/dramatiq/brokers/rabbitmq.py
index de6c0657..acc5f57e 100644
--- a/dramatiq/brokers/rabbitmq.py
+++ b/dramatiq/brokers/rabbitmq.py
@@ -246,8 +246,9 @@ def declare_queue(self, queue_name, *, ensure=False):
             self._ensure_queue(queue_name)
 
     def _ensure_queue(self, queue_name):
-        attempts = 1
+        attempts = 0
         while True:
+            attempts += 1
             try:
                 if queue_name in self.queues_pending:
                     self._declare_queue(queue_name)
@@ -262,7 +263,6 @@ def _ensure_queue(self, queue_name):
                 # caller may initiate new ones of each.
                 del self.connection
 
-                attempts += 1
                 if attempts > MAX_DECLARE_ATTEMPTS:
                     raise ConnectionClosed(e) from None
 
@@ -321,8 +321,9 @@ def enqueue(self, message, *, delay=None):
                 },
             )
 
-        attempts = 1
+        attempts = 0
         while True:
+            attempts += 1
             try:
                 self.declare_queue(canonical_queue_name, ensure=True)
                 self.logger.debug("Enqueueing message %r on queue %r.", message.message_id, queue_name)
@@ -351,7 +352,6 @@ def enqueue(self, message, *, delay=None):
                 if getattr(e, "reply_code", None) == 404:
                     self.queues.remove(q_name(queue_name))
 
-                attempts += 1
                 if attempts > MAX_ENQUEUE_ATTEMPTS:
                     raise ConnectionClosed(e) from None