diff --git a/nip60/pay.go b/nip60/pay.go
index f4316a3..63096b3 100644
--- a/nip60/pay.go
+++ b/nip60/pay.go
@@ -94,6 +94,11 @@ meltworked:
 		nil,
 	)
 
+	// mark tokens as reserved before attempting melt
+	for _, i := range chosen.tokenIndexes {
+		w.Tokens[i].reserved = true
+	}
+
 	// request from mint to _melt_ into paying the invoice
 	delay := 200 * time.Millisecond
 	// this request will block until the invoice is paid or it fails
@@ -103,17 +108,44 @@ meltworked:
 		Inputs:  chosen.proofs,
 		Outputs: preChange.bm,
 	})
-inspectmeltstatusresponse:
-	if err != nil || meltStatus.State == nut05.Unpaid {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("error melting token: %w", err)
-	} else if meltStatus.State == nut05.Unknown {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("we don't know what happened with the melt at %s: %v", chosen.mint, meltStatus)
-	} else if meltStatus.State == nut05.Pending {
-		for {
+	for {
+		if err != nil || meltStatus.State == nut05.Unpaid {
+			// unreserve tokens to available state on failure
+			for _, i := range chosen.tokenIndexes {
+				w.Tokens[i].reserved = false
+			}
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("error melting token: %w", err)
+		} else if meltStatus.State == nut05.Unknown {
+			// unreserve tokens to available state on failure
+			for _, i := range chosen.tokenIndexes {
+				w.Tokens[i].reserved = false
+			}
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("we don't know what happened with the melt at %s: %v", chosen.mint, meltStatus)
+		} else if meltStatus.State == nut05.Pending {
 			time.Sleep(delay)
 			delay *= 2
 			meltStatus, err = client.GetMeltQuoteState(ctx, chosen.mint, meltStatus.Quote)
-			goto inspectmeltstatusresponse
+			if err != nil {
+				// unreserve tokens to available state on failure
+				for _, i := range chosen.tokenIndexes {
+					w.Tokens[i].reserved = false
+				}
+				return "", fmt.Errorf("error checking melt status: %w", err)
+			}
+			if meltStatus.State == nut05.Unpaid || meltStatus.State == nut05.Unknown {
+				// unreserve tokens to available state on failure
+				for _, i := range chosen.tokenIndexes {
+					w.Tokens[i].reserved = false
+				}
+				return "", fmt.Errorf("melt failed with state %v", meltStatus.State)
+			} else if meltStatus.State == nut05.Paid {
+				// payment successful
+				break
+			}
+			// continue looping for pending state
+			continue
+		} else if meltStatus.State == nut05.Paid {
+			break
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/nip60/send.go b/nip60/send.go
index 668601c..98eacc9 100644
--- a/nip60/send.go
+++ b/nip60/send.go
@@ -153,6 +153,9 @@ func (w *Wallet) getProofsForSending(
 ) (chosenTokens, uint64, error) {
 	byMint := make(map[string]chosenTokens)
 	for t, token := range w.Tokens {
+		if token.reserved {
+			continue
+		}
 		if fromMint != "" && token.Mint != fromMint {
 			continue
 		}
diff --git a/nip60/token.go b/nip60/token.go
index 8647d4c..e05d7a5 100644
--- a/nip60/token.go
+++ b/nip60/token.go
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ type Token struct {
 	Proofs  cashu.Proofs `json:"proofs"`
 	Deleted []nostr.ID   `json:"del,omitempty"`
 
+	reserved bool
 	mintedAt nostr.Timestamp
 	event    *nostr.Event
 }
diff --git a/nip60/wallet.go b/nip60/wallet.go
index d99148c..35945dc 100644
--- a/nip60/wallet.go
+++ b/nip60/wallet.go
@@ -249,6 +249,10 @@ func (w *Wallet) removeDeletedToken(eventId nostr.ID) {
 func (w *Wallet) Balance() uint64 {
 	var sum uint64
 	for _, token := range w.Tokens {
+		if token.reserved {
+			continue
+		}
+
 		sum += token.Proofs.Amount()
 	}
 	return sum