diff --git a/aiserver.py b/aiserver.py
index 38ec34a1..9bba67b3 100644
--- a/aiserver.py
+++ b/aiserver.py
@@ -4680,6 +4680,9 @@ def kml(txt):
 #  Send start message and tell Javascript to set UI state
 #==================================================================#
 def setStartState():
+    # Old UI sets welcome to a boolean sometimes
+    koboldai_vars.welcome = koboldai_vars.welcome or koboldai_vars.welcome_default
+
     if koboldai_vars.welcome != koboldai_vars.welcome_default:
         txt = koboldai_vars.welcome + "<br/>"
     else: