diff --git a/scripts/hbc_mini.py b/scripts/hbc_mini.py
index 621d7b7..7724c31 100755
--- a/scripts/hbc_mini.py
+++ b/scripts/hbc_mini.py
@@ -1028,7 +1028,7 @@ def _reconfigure_syslog(level: int):
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 async def _async_main(args, cfg: Dict[str, Any]) -> int:
-    global _running, _shutdown_event, _active_tasks
+    global _running, _shutdown_event, _active_tasks, send_shutdown
     _running = True
     _shutdown_event = asyncio.Event()
     _active_tasks = []
@@ -1059,10 +1059,13 @@ async def _async_main(args, cfg: Dict[str, Any]) -> int:
         return 1
 
     # Boot / one-shot message
+    send_shutdown = False
     if args.boot or args.message:
         bmsg: Dict[str, Any] = {"acks": 0}
         if args.boot:
             bmsg["boot"] = 1
+            args.boot = False  # don't repeat on restart
+            send_shutdown = True
         if args.message:
             bmsg["service"] = "service"
             bmsg["msg"] = args.message
@@ -1100,7 +1103,7 @@ async def _async_main(args, cfg: Dict[str, Any]) -> int:
 
     log.info("shutting down")
     target = next((c for c in connections if c._transport), connections[0] if connections else None)
-    if target:
+    if target and send_shutdown:
         try:
             await target.sendto({"shutdown": 1, "acks": target.ackcount})
         except Exception: