diff --git a/src/emqx_session.erl b/src/emqx_session.erl
index 12718b9fc..30b35bf11 100644
--- a/src/emqx_session.erl
+++ b/src/emqx_session.erl
@@ -963,8 +963,9 @@ ensure_expire_timer(State) ->
 
 ensure_will_delay_timer(State = #state{will_msg = #message{headers = #{'Will-Delay-Interval' := WillDelayInterval}}}) ->
     State#state{will_delay_timer = emqx_misc:start_timer(WillDelayInterval * 1000, will_delay)};
-ensure_will_delay_timer(State) ->
-    State.
+ensure_will_delay_timer(State = #state{will_msg = WillMsg}) ->
+    send_willmsg(WillMsg),
+    State#state{will_msg = undefined}.
 
 ensure_stats_timer(State = #state{enable_stats = true, stats_timer = undefined,
                                   idle_timeout = IdleTimeout}) ->