A method of improving BGP convergence in a packet-switched network comprises receiving, at a router in the packet-switched network, an advertisement of a first route that includes alternate route information indicating that an alternate route is available; storing the alternate route information in association with the first route; detecting a change in network reachability of the first route, and in response thereto, determining if the alternate route information is stored for the first route, and if so: awaiting, for a particular time, an advertisement of an alternate route; storing and using the alternate route in place of the first route.