diff --git a/lib/netplay/netplay.c b/lib/netplay/netplay.c
index 42ce44a45..1fd313406 100644
--- a/lib/netplay/netplay.c
+++ b/lib/netplay/netplay.c
@@ -1368,8 +1368,9 @@ static BOOL NET_fillBuffer(NETBUFSOCKET* bs, SocketSet* socket_set)
 			tcp_socket = NULL;
 			//Game is pretty much over --should just end everything when HOST dies.
 			NetPlay.isHostAlive = false;
-			NETbeginEncode(NET_HOST_DROPPED, NET_ALL_PLAYERS);
-			NETend();
+			setLobbyError(ERROR_HOSTDROPPED);
+			NETclose();
+			return false;
 		}
 		socketClose(bs->socket);
 		bs->socket = NULL;