diff --git a/code/server/sv_client.c b/code/server/sv_client.c
index 1195c88b..d6c355ad 100644
--- a/code/server/sv_client.c
+++ b/code/server/sv_client.c
@@ -1478,7 +1478,7 @@ void SV_ExecuteClientCommand( client_t *cl, const char *s, qboolean clientOK ) {
 
 	if (clientOK) {
 		// pass unknown strings to the game
-		if (!u->name && sv.state == SS_GAME) {
+		if (!u->name && sv.state == SS_GAME && cl->state == CS_ACTIVE) {
 			Cmd_Args_Sanitize();
 			VM_Call( gvm, GAME_CLIENT_COMMAND, cl - svs.clients );
 		}