diff --git a/relay.go b/relay.go
index 08ff822..f36d16f 100644
--- a/relay.go
+++ b/relay.go
@@ -496,9 +496,9 @@ func (r *Relay) Auth(ctx context.Context, sign func(context.Context, *Event) err
 		}
 		if err := sign(ctx, &authEvent); err != nil {
 			err = fmt.Errorf("error signing auth event: %w", err)
+		} else {
+			err = r.publish(ctx, authEvent.ID, &AuthEnvelope{Event: authEvent})
 		}
-
-		err = r.publish(ctx, authEvent.ID, &AuthEnvelope{Event: authEvent})
 	})
 
 	if err == nil {