diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/server/GameManager.java b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/server/GameManager.java
index f56a05ee..be82fa34 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/server/GameManager.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/parlor/game/server/GameManager.java
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ public class GameManager extends PlaceManager
     public boolean startGame ()
     {
         // complain if we're already started
-        if (_gameobj.state == GameObject.IN_PLAY) {
+        if (_gameobj.isInPlay()) {
             log.warning("Requested to start an already in-play game [game=" + where() + "].");
             Thread.dumpStack();
             return false;