diff --git a/src/d_clisrv.c b/src/d_clisrv.c
index 1da11e71e..ca9e20847 100644
--- a/src/d_clisrv.c
+++ b/src/d_clisrv.c
@@ -3775,7 +3775,7 @@ static void HandleConnect(SINT8 node)
 		boolean newnode = false;
 #endif
 
-		if (node != servernode && D_IsJoinPasswordOn())
+		if (node != servernode && !nodeingame[node] && D_IsJoinPasswordOn())
 		{
 			// Ensure node sent the correct password challenge
 			boolean passed = false;