diff --git a/xwords4/relay/cref.cpp b/xwords4/relay/cref.cpp
index fecc451a0..0dd4ab206 100644
--- a/xwords4/relay/cref.cpp
+++ b/xwords4/relay/cref.cpp
@@ -193,6 +193,7 @@ CookieRef::_Connect( int socket, HostID hid, int nPlayersH, int nPlayersS,
         connected = HasSocket_locked( socket );
     } else {
         logf( XW_LOGINFO, "dropping connect event; already connected" );
+        connected = true; /* don't close socket on dup packet, just drop */
     }
     return connected;
 }