diff --git a/letta/services/group_manager.py b/letta/services/group_manager.py
index 17d411e0..be1e7124 100644
--- a/letta/services/group_manager.py
+++ b/letta/services/group_manager.py
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ class GroupManager:
                     new_group.manager_agent_id = group.manager_config.manager_agent_id
                     new_group.sleeptime_agent_frequency = group.manager_config.sleeptime_agent_frequency
                     if new_group.sleeptime_agent_frequency:
-                        new_group.turns_counter = 0
+                        new_group.turns_counter = -1
                 case _:
                     raise ValueError(f"Unsupported manager type: {group.manager_config.manager_type}")
 
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ class GroupManager:
                         manager_agent_id = group_update.manager_config.manager_agent_id
                         sleeptime_agent_frequency = group_update.manager_config.sleeptime_agent_frequency
                         if sleeptime_agent_frequency and group.turns_counter is None:
-                            group.turns_counter = 0
+                            group.turns_counter = -1
                     case _:
                         raise ValueError(f"Unsupported manager type: {group_update.manager_config.manager_type}")
 
diff --git a/tests/integration_test_sleeptime_agent.py b/tests/integration_test_sleeptime_agent.py
index 7c74ab68..0752a681 100644
--- a/tests/integration_test_sleeptime_agent.py
+++ b/tests/integration_test_sleeptime_agent.py
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ async def test_sleeptime_group_chat(server, actor):
         )
 
         assert len(response.messages) > 0
-        assert len(response.usage.run_ids or []) == i % 2
+        assert len(response.usage.run_ids or []) == (i + 1) % 2
         run_ids.extend(response.usage.run_ids or [])
 
         jobs = server.job_manager.list_jobs(actor=actor, job_type=JobType.RUN)