diff --git a/adafruit_bno08x_rvc.py b/adafruit_bno08x_rvc.py
index 9d93f19..7ef4c12 100644
--- a/adafruit_bno08x_rvc.py
+++ b/adafruit_bno08x_rvc.py
@@ -121,6 +121,7 @@ def heading(self) -> Tuple[float, float, float, float, float, float]:
 
         """
         # try to read initial packet start byte
+        self._uart.reset_input_buffer()
         data = None
         start_time = time.monotonic()
         while time.monotonic() - start_time < self._read_timeout: