diff --git a/lib/services.js b/lib/services.js
index ac89931..2d52240 100644
--- a/lib/services.js
+++ b/lib/services.js
@@ -77,8 +77,8 @@ export function handleSubscription(request, reply) {
   const io = request.server.app.io;
   const client = request.server.app.client;
 
-  if (request.method === 'get' && request.query['hub.verify_token'] === verifyToken) {
-    return reply(request.query['hub.challenge']);
+  if (request.method === 'get' && request.query.hub.mode === 'subscribe' && request.query.hub.verify_token === verifyToken) {
+    return reply(request.query.hub.challenge);
   }
 
   // instagram provides 20 most recent