diff --git a/src/packets.c b/src/packets.c
index 52a3452..4d38f90 100644
--- a/src/packets.c
+++ b/src/packets.c
@@ -245,11 +245,15 @@ do_contest (struct pkg_contest *ct_pkg, _net_addr * addr)
 
     /* master will have to change the firewall flag on a player */
     if (GT_MP_PTPM) {
-        if (ct_pkg->from < 0 || ct_pkg->from >= MAX_PLAYERS) {
-            if ((ct_pkg->to < 0 || ct_pkg->to >= MAX_PLAYERS) && addr->pl_nr != ct_pkg->from)
-                d_printf ("     from or to value out of range (0-MAX_PLAYERS)\n");
-            return;
-        }
+		if ((ct_pkg->from < 0 || ct_pkg->from >= MAX_PLAYERS
+			 || ct_pkg->to < -1 || ct_pkg->to >= MAX_PLAYERS
+			 || addr->pl_nr != ct_pkg->from) {
+				 d_printf ("     from or to value out of range (0-MAX_PLAYERS)\n");
+				 return;
+		}
+		/* ignore packet it's just a workaround for 
+		 * some hardware router */
+		if ((ct_pkg->to == -1) return; 
 
         players[ct_pkg->to].net.flags &= (0xFF - NETF_firewall);
         net_game_send_player (ct_pkg->to);
@@ -371,6 +375,8 @@ do_playerid (struct pkg_playerid *p_id, _net_addr * addr)
 		else
 			pl->state = p_id->state & (0xFF - PSF_alife);
 
+		/* set the NETWORK flag for the network player.
+		 * this had to be done after the contest part. */
         if (p_id->pl_nr != bman.p_nr && PS_IS_used (pl->state))
             pl->state |= PSF_net;
         else