diff --git a/src/engine/server/server.cpp b/src/engine/server/server.cpp
index f7f8b2d9c..71e17c5a6 100644
--- a/src/engine/server/server.cpp
+++ b/src/engine/server/server.cpp
@@ -702,7 +702,8 @@ int CServer::DistinctClientCount() const
 	int ClientCount = 0;
 	for(int i = 0; i < MAX_CLIENTS; i++)
 	{
-		if(m_aClients[i].m_State != CClient::STATE_EMPTY)
+		// connecting clients with spoofed ips can clog slots without being ingame
+		if(ClientIngame(i))
 		{
 			ClientCount++;
 			for(int j = 0; j < i; j++)
diff --git a/src/game/server/gamecontext.cpp b/src/game/server/gamecontext.cpp
index 100569b98..0bcc60f75 100644
--- a/src/game/server/gamecontext.cpp
+++ b/src/game/server/gamecontext.cpp
@@ -930,7 +930,7 @@ void CGameContext::OnTick()
 						continue;
 
 					// connecting clients with spoofed ips can clog slots without being ingame
-					if(((CServer *)Server())->m_aClients[i].m_State != CServer::CClient::STATE_INGAME)
+					if(!Server()->ClientIngame(i))
 						continue;
 
 					// don't count votes by blacklisted clients
@@ -1507,7 +1507,8 @@ void CGameContext::OnClientConnected(int ClientID, void *pData)
 		bool Empty = true;
 		for(auto &pPlayer : m_apPlayers)
 		{
-			if(pPlayer)
+			// connecting clients with spoofed ips can clog slots without being ingame
+			if(pPlayer && Server()->ClientIngame(pPlayer->GetCID()))
 			{
 				Empty = false;
 				break;