diff --git a/tools/chatgui/transport/chat_core.c b/tools/chatgui/transport/chat_core.c
index 5efd5d13..00771753 100644
--- a/tools/chatgui/transport/chat_core.c
+++ b/tools/chatgui/transport/chat_core.c
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ int chat_core_init(struct UTUN_INSTANCE* inst, const char* db_path) {
         topo_node_sqlite_node_update_verified(g_cc.db, g_cc.my_node_id,
             my_name, inst->my_keys.public_key, inst->my_ed25519_pubkey,
             (uint64_t)now_sec, (time_t)now_sec);
+        topo_node_sqlite_node_set_online(g_cc.db, g_cc.my_node_id, 1);
         sqlite3_stmt* st = NULL;
         sqlite3_prepare_v2(g_cc.db,
             "INSERT OR REPLACE INTO local_identity(id,node_id,name,x25519_pubkey,ed25519_pubkey,created_at,updated_at)"