diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/data/BoardSummary.java b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/data/BoardSummary.java
index 5b945aa3f..634dd5a2b 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/data/BoardSummary.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/data/BoardSummary.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: BoardSummary.java,v 1.3 2004/08/27 02:20:28 mdb Exp $
+// $Id$
 //
 // Narya library - tools for developing networked games
 // Copyright (C) 2002-2004 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
@@ -54,11 +54,13 @@ public abstract class BoardSummary extends TrackedStreamableObject
     }
 
     /**
-     * Sets the board associated with this board summary.
+     * Sets the board associated with this board summary, causing
+     * an immediate update to this summary.
      */
     public void setBoard (Board board)
     {
         _board = board;
+        summarize(); // immediately summarize the new board
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/drop/data/DropBoardSummary.java b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/drop/data/DropBoardSummary.java
index f3c6d43f2..390ee30ef 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/drop/data/DropBoardSummary.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/drop/data/DropBoardSummary.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 //
-// $Id: DropBoardSummary.java,v 1.2 2004/08/27 02:20:30 mdb Exp $
+// $Id$
 //
 // Narya library - tools for developing networked games
 // Copyright (C) 2002-2004 Three Rings Design, Inc., All Rights Reserved
@@ -47,9 +47,6 @@ public class DropBoardSummary extends BoardSummary
     public DropBoardSummary (Board board)
     {
         super(board);
-
-        // create the columns array
-        columns = new byte[_dboard.getWidth()];
     }
 
     /**
@@ -72,9 +69,11 @@ public class DropBoardSummary extends BoardSummary
     // documentation inherited
     public void setBoard (Board board)
     {
-        super.setBoard(board);
-
         _dboard = (DropBoard)board;
+        // create the columns array
+        columns = new byte[_dboard.getWidth()];
+
+        super.setBoard(board);
     }
 
     // documentation inherited
diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/server/PuzzleManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/server/PuzzleManager.java
index 53a3b5b50..b781aa2f3 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/server/PuzzleManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/puzzle/server/PuzzleManager.java
@@ -389,8 +389,8 @@ public abstract class PuzzleManager extends GameManager
                 }
             }
         }
-        // these will be sent to the players on the first status update
-        _puzobj.summaries = summaries;
+
+        _puzobj.setSummaries(summaries);
     }
 
     /**