diff --git a/src/Controller/GameController.php b/src/Controller/GameController.php
index 23cf3c3..aca55b7 100644
--- a/src/Controller/GameController.php
+++ b/src/Controller/GameController.php
@@ -93,6 +93,11 @@ class GameController
                 'currentRound' => -1
             ]);
         }
+        // update the area of the map in the session in any case
+        else {
+            $state['area'] = $map->getArea();
+            $session->set('state', $state);
+        }
 
         return new JsonContent([
             'mapId' => $mapId,