diff --git a/teeth_agent/overlord_agent_api.py b/teeth_agent/overlord_agent_api.py
index 82663afd2..c8f9049bc 100644
--- a/teeth_agent/overlord_agent_api.py
+++ b/teeth_agent/overlord_agent_api.py
@@ -64,3 +64,10 @@ class APIClient(object):
         if response.status_code != requests.codes.NO_CONTENT:
             msg = 'Invalid status code: {}'.format(response.status_code)
             raise errors.HeartbeatError(msg)
+
+        try:
+            return float(response.headers.get('Heartbeat-Before'))
+        except KeyError:
+            raise errors.HeartbeatError('Missing Heartbeat-Before header')
+        except Exception:
+            raise errors.HeartbeatError('Invalid Heartbeat-Before header')