diff --git a/datasrc/network.py b/datasrc/network.py
index d03edce9795..f021a24c116 100644
--- a/datasrc/network.py
+++ b/datasrc/network.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 from datatypes import Enum, Flags, NetArray, NetBool, NetEvent, NetEventEx, NetIntAny, NetIntRange, NetMessage, NetMessageEx, NetObject, NetObjectEx, NetString, NetStringHalfStrict, NetStringStrict, NetTick
 
 Emotes = ["NORMAL", "PAIN", "HAPPY", "SURPRISE", "ANGRY", "BLINK"]
-PlayerFlags = ["PLAYING", "IN_MENU", "CHATTING", "SCOREBOARD", "AIM", "SPEC_CAM"]
+PlayerFlags = ["PLAYING", "IN_MENU", "CHATTING", "SCOREBOARD", "AIM"]
 GameFlags = ["TEAMS", "FLAGS"]
 GameStateFlags = ["GAMEOVER", "SUDDENDEATH", "PAUSED", "RACETIME"]
 CharacterFlags = ["SOLO", "JETPACK", "COLLISION_DISABLED", "ENDLESS_HOOK", "ENDLESS_JUMP", "SUPER",
diff --git a/src/engine/shared/protocol.h b/src/engine/shared/protocol.h
index 2608a9297ee..7655765c5f7 100644
--- a/src/engine/shared/protocol.h
+++ b/src/engine/shared/protocol.h
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ enum
 	VERSION_DDNET_MULTI_LASER = 16040,
 	VERSION_DDNET_ENTITY_NETOBJS = 16200,
 	VERSION_DDNET_REDIRECT = 17020,
-	VERSION_DDNET_PLAYERFLAG_SPEC_CAM = 18090,
+	VERSION_DDNET_PLAYERFLAG_PLAYING = 18090,
 };
 
 typedef std::bitset<MAX_CLIENTS> CClientMask;
diff --git a/src/game/client/components/controls.cpp b/src/game/client/components/controls.cpp
index a2a1fc0712c..c0c2ee8a629 100644
--- a/src/game/client/components/controls.cpp
+++ b/src/game/client/components/controls.cpp
@@ -181,12 +181,13 @@ void CControls::OnMessage(int Msg, void *pRawMsg)
 int CControls::SnapInput(int *pData)
 {
 	// update player state
+	bool IsPlaying = false;
 	if(m_pClient->m_Chat.IsActive())
 		m_aInputData[g_Config.m_ClDummy].m_PlayerFlags = PLAYERFLAG_CHATTING;
 	else if(m_pClient->m_Menus.IsActive())
 		m_aInputData[g_Config.m_ClDummy].m_PlayerFlags = PLAYERFLAG_IN_MENU;
 	else
-		m_aInputData[g_Config.m_ClDummy].m_PlayerFlags = PLAYERFLAG_PLAYING;
+		IsPlaying = true;
 
 	if(m_pClient->m_Scoreboard.Active())
 		m_aInputData[g_Config.m_ClDummy].m_PlayerFlags |= PLAYERFLAG_SCOREBOARD;
@@ -194,15 +195,16 @@ int CControls::SnapInput(int *pData)
 	if(Client()->ServerCapAnyPlayerFlag() && m_pClient->m_Controls.m_aShowHookColl[g_Config.m_ClDummy])
 		m_aInputData[g_Config.m_ClDummy].m_PlayerFlags |= PLAYERFLAG_AIM;
 
-	if(Client()->ServerCapAnyPlayerFlag() && m_pClient->m_Camera.CamType() == CCamera::CAMTYPE_SPEC)
-		m_aInputData[g_Config.m_ClDummy].m_PlayerFlags |= PLAYERFLAG_SPEC_CAM;
+	// set PLAYING flag if the server should use out inputs
+	if(IsPlaying && m_pClient->m_Camera.CamType() != CCamera::CAMTYPE_SPEC)
+		m_aInputData[g_Config.m_ClDummy].m_PlayerFlags = PLAYERFLAG_PLAYING;
 
 	bool Send = m_aLastData[g_Config.m_ClDummy].m_PlayerFlags != m_aInputData[g_Config.m_ClDummy].m_PlayerFlags;
 
 	m_aLastData[g_Config.m_ClDummy].m_PlayerFlags = m_aInputData[g_Config.m_ClDummy].m_PlayerFlags;
 
 	// we freeze the input if chat or menu is activated
-	if(!(m_aInputData[g_Config.m_ClDummy].m_PlayerFlags & PLAYERFLAG_PLAYING))
+	if(!IsPlaying)
 	{
 		if(!GameClient()->m_GameInfo.m_BugDDRaceInput)
 			ResetInput(g_Config.m_ClDummy);
diff --git a/src/game/server/player.cpp b/src/game/server/player.cpp
index 9f280760796..f7dbf30d3cf 100644
--- a/src/game/server/player.cpp
+++ b/src/game/server/player.cpp
@@ -513,7 +513,7 @@ void CPlayer::OnPredictedInput(CNetObj_PlayerInput *pNewInput)
 
 	m_NumInputs++;
 
-	if(m_pCharacter && !m_Paused && !(pNewInput->m_PlayerFlags & PLAYERFLAG_SPEC_CAM))
+	if(m_pCharacter && !m_Paused && pNewInput->m_PlayerFlags & PLAYERFLAG_PLAYING)
 		m_pCharacter->OnPredictedInput(pNewInput);
 
 	// Magic number when we can hope that client has successfully identified itself
@@ -529,7 +529,8 @@ void CPlayer::OnDirectInput(CNetObj_PlayerInput *pNewInput)
 
 	AfkTimer();
 
-	if(((pNewInput->m_PlayerFlags & PLAYERFLAG_SPEC_CAM) || GetClientVersion() < VERSION_DDNET_PLAYERFLAG_SPEC_CAM) && ((!m_pCharacter && m_Team == TEAM_SPECTATORS) || m_Paused) && m_SpectatorId == SPEC_FREEVIEW)
+	if((!(pNewInput->m_PlayerFlags & PLAYERFLAG_PLAYING) || GetClientVersion() < VERSION_DDNET_PLAYERFLAG_PLAYING)
+		&& ((!m_pCharacter && m_Team == TEAM_SPECTATORS) || m_Paused) && m_SpectatorId == SPEC_FREEVIEW)
 		m_ViewPos = vec2(pNewInput->m_TargetX, pNewInput->m_TargetY);
 
 	// check for activity
@@ -555,7 +556,7 @@ void CPlayer::OnPredictedEarlyInput(CNetObj_PlayerInput *pNewInput)
 	if(m_PlayerFlags & PLAYERFLAG_CHATTING)
 		return;
 
-	if(m_pCharacter && !m_Paused && !(m_PlayerFlags & PLAYERFLAG_SPEC_CAM))
+	if(m_pCharacter && !m_Paused && m_PlayerFlags & PLAYERFLAG_PLAYING)
 		m_pCharacter->OnDirectInput(pNewInput);
 }