Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. One method may include receiving a beam switch message prior to initiating a physical random access channel (PRACH) procedure, monitoring for a response from a base station using a candidate beam during a random access response window, identifying a beam switch event occurring within the random access response window based on beam switch timing information indicated in the beam switch message, and performing a beam switch procedure based on an absence of a response from the base station during a portion of the random access response window and prior to the beam switch event.