diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/springframework/ws/transport/http/CommonsHttpMessageSender.java b/core/src/main/java/org/springframework/ws/transport/http/CommonsHttpMessageSender.java
index 5ab605a1..96194c77 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/springframework/ws/transport/http/CommonsHttpMessageSender.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/springframework/ws/transport/http/CommonsHttpMessageSender.java
@@ -213,6 +213,7 @@ public class CommonsHttpMessageSender extends AbstractHttpWebServiceMessageSende
     public void afterPropertiesSet() throws Exception {
         if (getCredentials() != null) {
             getHttpClient().getState().setCredentials(getAuthScope(), getCredentials());
+            getHttpClient().getParams().setAuthenticationPreemptive(true);
         }
     }