diff --git a/src/network/network_server.cpp b/src/network/network_server.cpp
index a6c87405ed..8cd1a5921f 100644
--- a/src/network/network_server.cpp
+++ b/src/network/network_server.cpp
@@ -1330,7 +1330,7 @@ void NetworkServerSendChat(NetworkAction action, DestType desttype, int dest, co
 
 NetworkRecvStatus ServerNetworkGameSocketHandler::Receive_CLIENT_CHAT(Packet *p)
 {
-	if (this->status < STATUS_AUTHORIZED) {
+	if (this->status < STATUS_PRE_ACTIVE) {
 		/* Illegal call, return error and ignore the packet */
 		return this->SendError(NETWORK_ERROR_NOT_AUTHORIZED);
 	}