diff --git a/src/s5p/pool.py b/src/s5p/pool.py
index b50dba5..24487ae 100644
--- a/src/s5p/pool.py
+++ b/src/s5p/pool.py
@@ -306,9 +306,17 @@ class ProxyPool:
         async def _test(key: str, entry: ProxyEntry) -> None:
             async with sem:
                 try:
-                    results[key] = await self._test_proxy(key, entry)
+                    ok = await self._test_proxy(key, entry)
                 except Exception:
-                    results[key] = False
+                    ok = False
+                results[key] = ok
+                # mark passing proxies alive immediately so they're
+                # available before the full batch completes
+                if ok:
+                    entry.alive = True
+                    entry.fails = 0
+                    entry.last_ok = time.time()
+                    self._alive_keys.append(key)
 
         tasks = [_test(k, e) for k, e in target]
         await asyncio.gather(*tasks)