diff --git a/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/ConnStatusHandler.java b/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/ConnStatusHandler.java
index f030afd74..df0ca1c45 100644
--- a/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/ConnStatusHandler.java
+++ b/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/ConnStatusHandler.java
@@ -146,6 +146,11 @@ public class ConnStatusHandler {
         s_rect = new Rect( left, top, right, bottom );
     }
 
+    public static void clearRect()
+    {
+        s_rect = null;
+    }
+
     public static void setHandler( ConnStatusCBacks cbacks )
     {
         s_cbacks = cbacks;
diff --git a/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/jni/JNIThread.java b/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/jni/JNIThread.java
index ad22c69e2..cee2eaeb3 100644
--- a/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/jni/JNIThread.java
+++ b/xwords4/android/XWords4/src/org/eehouse/android/xw4/jni/JNIThread.java
@@ -250,6 +250,8 @@ public class JNIThread extends Thread {
             int left = dims.scoreLeft + dims.scoreWidth + dims.timerWidth;
             ConnStatusHandler.setRect( left, dims.top, left + statusWidth, 
                                        dims.top + dims.scoreHt );
+        } else {
+            ConnStatusHandler.clearRect();
         }
 
         XwJNI.board_applyLayout( m_jniGamePtr, dims );