diff --git a/network/netplay/netplay_frontend.c b/network/netplay/netplay_frontend.c
index 1cea5a9bb8..89c5ab5535 100644
--- a/network/netplay/netplay_frontend.c
+++ b/network/netplay/netplay_frontend.c
@@ -50,7 +50,8 @@ static bool netplay_is_alive(void)
 {
    if (!netplay_data)
       return false;
-   return !!netplay_data->connected_players;
+   return (netplay_data->is_server && !!netplay_data->connected_players) ||
+          (!netplay_data->is_server && netplay_data->self_mode >= NETPLAY_CONNECTION_CONNECTED);
 }
 
 /**