diff --git a/node_external_ip_controller_async.py b/node_external_ip_controller_async.py
index 1cbebbb..4ee6206 100644
--- a/node_external_ip_controller_async.py
+++ b/node_external_ip_controller_async.py
@@ -95,6 +95,9 @@ async def watch_nodes(v1, external_ips_update_queue):
                         f"External IPs for node {node.metadata.name}: {external_ips}"
                     )
                 external_node_ips = list(external_node_ipset)
+                # remove old ip lists before populating
+                while not external_ips_update_queue.empty():
+                    _previous_external_ips = await external_ips_update_queue.get()
                 await external_ips_update_queue.put(external_node_ips)
                 logger.debug(f"Added external IPs to update queue: {external_node_ips}")
 
@@ -125,13 +128,10 @@ async def watch_services(v1, external_ips_update_queue):
                     logger.debug(
                         f"Processing event type: {event['type']} for service: {service.metadata.name}"
                     )
-                    while True:
-                        # maintain only last set of external_ips by popping everything
-                        # and putting back the final one when it runs empty
-                        external_ips = await external_ips_update_queue.get()
-                        if external_ips_update_queue.empty():
-                            await external_ips_update_queue.put(external_ips)
-                            break
+                    external_ips = await external_ips_update_queue.get()
+                    # put back the last one if it turns empty
+                    if external_ips_update_queue.empty():
+                        await external_ips_update_queue.put(external_ips)
                     logger.debug(f"Retrieved external IPs: {external_ips}")
                     await update_service_annotation(v1, service, external_ips)
                     logger.debug(f"Service updated: {service.metadata.name}")