diff --git a/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/GameUtils.java b/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/GameUtils.java
index 5074bbbd8..678490044 100644
--- a/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/GameUtils.java
+++ b/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/GameUtils.java
@@ -443,10 +443,13 @@ public class GameUtils {
                                       int nPlayersT, int nPlayersH )
     {
         long rowid = -1;
-
         int[] langa = { lang };
+        boolean isHost = null == addr;
+        if ( isHost ) {
+            addr = new CommsAddrRec( context, null, null );
+        }
         return makeNewMultiGame( context, addr, langa, nPlayersT, nPlayersH,
-                                 null, gameID, null == addr );
+                                 null, gameID, isHost );
     }
 
     public static void launchInviteActivity( Context context,