diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index d261e68..c27522c 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -1499,10 +1499,6 @@ int handleCmdLine(bool has_server_config, bool has_parent_process)
             NetworkConfig::get()->setIsLAN();
         STKHost::create();
 
-        // Initialize telemetry system (no-op if STK_TELEMETRY_SOCKET not set).
-        TelemetrySocket::create();
-        TelemetryEmitter::create();
-
         if (!GUIEngine::isNoGraphics())
             NetworkingLobby::getInstance()->setJoinedServer(server);
         else if (NetworkConfig::get()->isClient())
@@ -1550,6 +1546,11 @@ int handleCmdLine(bool has_server_config, bool has_parent_process)
         NetworkConfig::get()->setAutoConnect(true);
     }
 
+    // Initialize telemetry system (no-op if STK_TELEMETRY_SOCKET not set).
+    // Placed after server/client network setup so it works in both modes.
+    TelemetrySocket::create();
+    TelemetryEmitter::create();
+
     if (CommandLine::has("--capture-limit", &n))
     {
         RaceManager::get()->setHitCaptureTime(n, 0.0f);
diff --git a/src/network/telemetry/telemetry_socket.cpp b/src/network/telemetry/telemetry_socket.cpp
index 9bdfee1..e684061 100644
--- a/src/network/telemetry/telemetry_socket.cpp
+++ b/src/network/telemetry/telemetry_socket.cpp
@@ -116,9 +116,10 @@ void TelemetrySocket::tryConnect()
         if (errno != EINPROGRESS)
         {
             // Connection failed immediately (collector not running yet).
+            Log::info("Telemetry", "connect(%s) failed: %s",
+                      m_socket_path.c_str(), strerror(errno));
             close(m_fd);
             m_fd = -1;
-            // Only log once per cooldown cycle to avoid spam.
             return;
         }
         // EINPROGRESS: connection pending — we'll detect success/failure on next write.
@@ -153,6 +154,9 @@ void TelemetrySocket::sendFrame(const uint8_t* data, size_t size)
         if (m_fd < 0)
         {
             m_frames_dropped++;
+            if (m_frames_dropped % 100 == 1)
+                Log::info("Telemetry", "No connection, dropped %llu frames so far",
+                          (unsigned long long)m_frames_dropped);
             return;
         }
     }