diff --git a/ui/src/screens/NewGame.svelte b/ui/src/screens/NewGame.svelte
index e3597c9..751b244 100644
--- a/ui/src/screens/NewGame.svelte
+++ b/ui/src/screens/NewGame.svelte
@@ -112,7 +112,9 @@
   );
 
   onMount(async () => {
-    if (guest) return;
+    // Offline mode offers only the local vs_ai flow (the friends section is hidden), and the network
+    // is off, so skip the friend fetch — it would be refused by the transport and toast an error.
+    if (guest || offlineMode.active) return;
     try {
       friends = await gateway.friendsList();
     } catch (e) {