diff --git a/client/src/pages/play.vue b/client/src/pages/play.vue
index 2acbf0a..eb8dc15 100644
--- a/client/src/pages/play.vue
+++ b/client/src/pages/play.vue
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ export default {
       return this.$store.state.game.phase
     },
     connectionLost() {
-      return this.$store.state.engine.version == -1
+      return this.$engine.isActive && this.$store.state.engine.version == -1
     },
   },
   methods: {
diff --git a/client/src/plugins/engine/start.js b/client/src/plugins/engine/start.js
index 31c0d8a..ef931f5 100644
--- a/client/src/plugins/engine/start.js
+++ b/client/src/plugins/engine/start.js
@@ -10,6 +10,12 @@ export default async function() {
     return
   }
 
+  const role = store.state.engine.user?.role || ''
+  if (role === 'admin') {
+    console.debug('user is admin, engine not started')
+    return
+  }
+
   this.isActive = true
   this.fetchUpdate()
   console.debug('engine started')