diff --git a/packages/web/src/net.svelte.ts b/packages/web/src/net.svelte.ts
index 780e2f7..4118bc9 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/net.svelte.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/net.svelte.ts
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ class Net {
   stats = $state<Record<string, number | string | null> | null>(null);
   chatSeen = $state<Record<string, number>>(loadChatSeen());
   /** Messages in the current room this session (history + live). */
-  chatCount = 0;
+  chatCount = $state(0);
   games = $state<GameSummary[]>([]);
   notificationsEnabled = $state(
     typeof Notification !== "undefined" && Notification.permission === "granted",