Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A wireless device (base station or UE) may receive an indication of a listen before talk (LBT) gap for sharing a channel occupancy time (COT), the COT being acquired by another wireless device (base station or UE), and detect whether a slot within the COT is occupied by the other wireless device, the slot occurring prior to the LBT gap. The wireless device may also, responsive to detecting that the slot is occupied by the other wireless device, perform an LBT procedure during the LBT gap, and, responsive to a successful LBT procedure, transmit a signal to the other wireless device within the COT.