diff --git a/src/d_net.c b/src/d_net.c
index f407f6281..f552bc898 100644
--- a/src/d_net.c
+++ b/src/d_net.c
@@ -698,6 +698,12 @@ void Net_CloseConnection(INT32 node)
 		Net_SendAcks(node);
 		Net_SendAcks(node);
 	}
+	else
+	{
+		// if the connection hasn't acknowledged anything, it's possible for it to permanently occupy the node.
+		// to prevent this, drop the connection.
+		forceclose = true;
+ 	}
 
 	// check if we are waiting for an ack from this node
 	for (i = 0; i < MAXACKPACKETS; i++)