diff --git a/imapnotify/core.py b/imapnotify/core.py
index 720f5ee..f44d1bd 100644
--- a/imapnotify/core.py
+++ b/imapnotify/core.py
@@ -131,7 +131,13 @@ async def _select_box(self, box='INBOX'):
     self.boxes[box]['idle'] = asyncio.ensure_future(imap_client.idle())
 
   def _is_new_msg(self, msg):
-    return 'EXISTS' in msg
+    if 'EXISTS' in msg:
+      return True
+
+    # if msg is list of messages
+    for x in msg:
+      if 'EXISTS' in x:
+        return True
 
   async def _on_new_message(self, box):
     command = self.boxes[box]['on_new_message']