diff --git a/src/network/network_server.cpp b/src/network/network_server.cpp
index 9e0c212ffe..a6c87405ed 100644
--- a/src/network/network_server.cpp
+++ b/src/network/network_server.cpp
@@ -701,7 +701,7 @@ NetworkRecvStatus ServerNetworkGameSocketHandler::SendCommand(const CommandPacke
  */
 NetworkRecvStatus ServerNetworkGameSocketHandler::SendChat(NetworkAction action, ClientID client_id, bool self_send, const char *msg, int64 data)
 {
-	if (this->status != STATUS_ACTIVE) return NETWORK_RECV_STATUS_OKAY;
+	if (this->status < STATUS_PRE_ACTIVE) return NETWORK_RECV_STATUS_OKAY;
 
 	Packet *p = new Packet(PACKET_SERVER_CHAT);