diff --git a/nova/rpc/impl_kombu.py b/nova/rpc/impl_kombu.py
index 9058a472..a9d88732 100644
--- a/nova/rpc/impl_kombu.py
+++ b/nova/rpc/impl_kombu.py
@@ -139,9 +139,10 @@ class ConsumerBase(object):
             message = self.channel.message_to_python(raw_message)
             try:
                 callback(message.payload)
-                message.ack()
             except Exception:
                 LOG.exception(_("Failed to process message... skipping it."))
+            finally:
+                message.ack()
 
         self.queue.consume(*args, callback=_callback, **options)