diff --git a/network/netplay/netplay_init.c b/network/netplay/netplay_init.c
index e34d52c1f5..89a77b95d9 100644
--- a/network/netplay/netplay_init.c
+++ b/network/netplay/netplay_init.c
@@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ netplay_t *netplay_new(void *direct_host, const char *server, uint16_t port,
    netplay->cbs               = *cb;
    netplay->connected_players = 0;
    netplay->player_max        = 1;
-   netplay->is_server         = server == NULL;
+   netplay->is_server         = (direct_host == NULL && server == NULL);
    netplay->nat_traversal     = netplay->is_server ? nat_traversal : false;
    netplay->stateless_mode    = stateless_mode;
    netplay->check_frames      = check_frames;