diff --git a/src/squarelauncher.cpp b/src/squarelauncher.cpp
index e57d817..50ca845 100644
--- a/src/squarelauncher.cpp
+++ b/src/squarelauncher.cpp
@@ -174,6 +174,14 @@ void SquareLauncher::gateOpen() {
 
     auto reply = window.mgr->get(request);
     connect(reply, &QNetworkReply::finished, [this, reply] {
+        // I happen to run into this issue often, if I start the launcher really quickly after bootup
+        // it's possible to actually check this quicker than the network is actually available,
+        // causing the launcher to be stuck in "maintenace mode". so if that happens, we try to rerun this logic.
+        // TODO: this selection of errors is currently guesswork, i'm assuming one of these will fit the bill of "internet is unavailable" in
+        // some way.
+        if(reply->error() == QNetworkReply::HostNotFoundError || reply->error() == QNetworkReply::TimeoutError || reply->error() == QNetworkReply::UnknownServerError)
+            gateOpen();
+
         QJsonDocument document = QJsonDocument::fromJson(reply->readAll());
 
         isGateOpen = !document.isEmpty() && document.object()["status"].toInt() != 0;