diff --git a/ext/server.py b/ext/server.py
index d3edfbf..1aa0cd5 100755
--- a/ext/server.py
+++ b/ext/server.py
@@ -46,11 +46,11 @@ def create_game():
     if 'bots' in request.json:
         bots = request.json.get('bots')
 
+    game_count = 0
     try:
         with sqlite3.connect("database.db") as con:
             # check free port
             port = START_PORT
-            game_count = 0
             cur = con.cursor()
             cur.execute("SELECT * FROM games WHERE port=?", (port,))
             rows = cur.fetchall()
@@ -61,7 +61,6 @@ def create_game():
                 rows = cur.fetchall()
 
             if game_count >= MAX_GAMES:
-                abort(401)
                 return
 
             print("debug: " + str(game_count))
@@ -103,6 +102,9 @@ def create_game():
         abort(500)
     finally:
         con.close()
+        if game_count >= MAX_GAMES:
+            abort(401)
+            return ""
         return jsonify({'name': name, 'port': port})