diff --git a/services/tunnelbroker/src/amqp.rs b/services/tunnelbroker/src/amqp.rs
--- a/services/tunnelbroker/src/amqp.rs
+++ b/services/tunnelbroker/src/amqp.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,13 @@
-use crate::constants::error_types;
-use crate::CONFIG;
+use comm_lib::database::batch_operations::ExponentialBackoffConfig;
 use lapin::{uri::AMQPUri, Connection, ConnectionProperties};
+use once_cell::sync::Lazy;
+use std::time::Duration;
 use tracing::info;
 
-pub async fn connect() -> Connection {
+use crate::constants::error_types;
+use crate::CONFIG;
+
+static AMQP_URI: Lazy<AMQPUri> = Lazy::new(|| {
   let mut amqp_uri = CONFIG
     .amqp_uri
     .parse::<AMQPUri>()
@@ -17,13 +21,39 @@
     amqp_uri.authority.userinfo.password = amqp_pass;
   }
 
+  amqp_uri
+});
+
+pub async fn connect() -> Connection {
   let options = ConnectionProperties::default()
     .with_executor(tokio_executor_trait::Tokio::current())
     .with_reactor(tokio_reactor_trait::Tokio);
 
-  let conn = Connection::connect_uri(amqp_uri, options)
-    .await
-    .expect("Unable to connect to AMQP endpoint");
+  let retry_config = ExponentialBackoffConfig {
+    max_attempts: 5,
+    base_duration: Duration::from_millis(500),
+    ..Default::default()
+  };
+  let mut retry_counter = retry_config.new_counter();
+
+  tracing::debug!("Attempting to connect to AMQP...");
+  let conn_result = loop {
+    let amqp_uri = Lazy::force(&AMQP_URI).clone();
+    match lapin::Connection::connect_uri(amqp_uri, options.clone()).await {
+      Ok(conn) => break Ok(conn),
+      Err(err) => {
+        let attempt = retry_counter.attempt();
+        tracing::warn!(attempt, "AMQP connection attempt failed: {err}.");
+
+        if retry_counter.sleep_and_retry().await.is_err() {
+          tracing::error!("Unable to connect to AMQP: {err}");
+          break Err(err);
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  };
+
+  let conn = conn_result.expect("Unable to connect to AMQP. Exiting.");
   conn.on_error(|error| {
     tracing::error!(
       errorType = error_types::AMQP_ERROR,
diff --git a/shared/comm-lib/src/database.rs b/shared/comm-lib/src/database.rs
--- a/shared/comm-lib/src/database.rs
+++ b/shared/comm-lib/src/database.rs
@@ -706,6 +706,11 @@
       self.attempt = 0;
     }
 
+    /// Returns 1 before the first retry, then 2,3,... after subsequent retries
+    pub fn attempt(&self) -> u32 {
+      self.attempt + 1
+    }
+
     /// increase counter and sleep in case of failure
     pub async fn sleep_and_retry(&mut self) -> Result<(), super::Error> {
       let jitter_factor = 1f32.min(0f32.max(self.config.jitter_factor));