diff --git a/briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/contact/add/remote/PendingContactListViewModel.java b/briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/contact/add/remote/PendingContactListViewModel.java
index c55c667f6..291716187 100644
--- a/briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/contact/add/remote/PendingContactListViewModel.java
+++ b/briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/contact/add/remote/PendingContactListViewModel.java
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ public class PendingContactListViewModel extends AndroidViewModel
 				Collection<Pair<PendingContact, PendingContactState>> pairs =
 						contactManager.getPendingContacts();
 				List<PendingContactItem> items = new ArrayList<>(pairs.size());
-				boolean online = false;
+				boolean online = items.isEmpty();
 				for (Pair<PendingContact, PendingContactState> pair : pairs) {
 					PendingContact p = pair.getFirst();
 					PendingContactState state = pair.getSecond();