diff --git a/mesh_bot.py b/mesh_bot.py
index a069c92..182c353 100755
--- a/mesh_bot.py
+++ b/mesh_bot.py
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ def onReceive(packet, interface):
         if msg:
             print(f"{log_timestamp()} System: BBS DM Found: {msg[1]} For: {get_name_from_number(message_from_id)}")
             message = "Mail: " + msg[1] + " from: " + get_name_from_number(msg[2])
-            bbs_dm.remove(msg)
+            bbs_delete_dm(msg[2], msg[1])
             send_message(message, channel_number, message_from_id)
 
     # check for a message packet and process it
diff --git a/modules/bbstools.py b/modules/bbstools.py
index e1d8593..336c110 100644
--- a/modules/bbstools.py
+++ b/modules/bbstools.py
@@ -140,6 +140,19 @@ def bbs_check_dm(toNode):
             return msg
     return False
 
+def bbs_delete_dm(toNode, message):
+    global bbs_dm
+    # delete a message from the bbsdm
+    for msg in bbs_dm:
+        if msg[0] == toNode:
+            # check if the message matches
+            if msg[1] == message:
+                bbs_dm.remove(msg)
+            # save the bbsdb
+            save_bbsdm()
+            return "System: cleared mail for" + str(toNode)
+    return "System: No DM found for node " + str(toNode)
+
 #initialize the bbsdb's
 load_bbsdb()
 load_bbsdm()