diff --git a/xwords4/common/game.c b/xwords4/common/game.c
index d5d74f1f0..ce259f4e7 100644
--- a/xwords4/common/game.c
+++ b/xwords4/common/game.c
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@ gi_readFromStream( MPFORMAL XWStreamCtxt* stream, CurGameInfo* gi )
     }
 
     gi->gameID = stream_getU16( stream );
-    if ( gi->timerEnabled ) {
+    if ( gi->timerEnabled || strVersion >= STREAM_VERS_GAMESECONDS ) {
         gi->gameSeconds = stream_getU16( stream );
     }
 
@@ -481,9 +481,7 @@ gi_writeToStream( XWStreamCtxt* stream, const CurGameInfo* gi )
     stream_putBits( stream, 1, gi->confirmBTConnect );
 
     stream_putU16( stream, gi->gameID );
-    if ( gi->timerEnabled) {
-        stream_putU16( stream, gi->gameSeconds );
-    }
+    stream_putU16( stream, gi->gameSeconds );
     
     for ( pl = gi->players, i = 0; i < gi->nPlayers; ++pl, ++i ) {
         stringToStream( stream, pl->name );
diff --git a/xwords4/common/game.h b/xwords4/common/game.h
index e62d18c8a..3ad542de3 100644
--- a/xwords4/common/game.h
+++ b/xwords4/common/game.h
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
+#define STREAM_VERS_GAMESECONDS 0x0B /* save gameSeconds whether or not
+                                        timer's enabled */
 #define STREAM_VERS_4YOFFSET 0x0A /* 4 bits for yOffset on board */
 #define STREAM_VERS_CHANNELSEED 0x09 /* new short in relay connect must be
                                         saved in comms */
@@ -44,7 +46,7 @@ extern "C" {
 #define STREAM_VERS_41B4 0x02
 #define STREAM_VERS_405  0x01
 
-#define CUR_STREAM_VERS STREAM_VERS_4YOFFSET
+#define CUR_STREAM_VERS STREAM_VERS_GAMESECONDS
 
 typedef struct LocalPlayer {
     XP_UCHAR* name;