diff --git a/server/php/server.php b/server/php/server.php
index 2f0f2c6..1d3f356 100644
--- a/server/php/server.php
+++ b/server/php/server.php
@@ -93,23 +93,14 @@ function handleStream() {
         sendError('Missing room name', 400);
     }
 
-    // Passphrase is optional for streaming (read-only)
-    // If room doesn't exist yet, return empty stream
-    if (!roomExists($room)) {
-        // Return empty stream - room doesn't exist yet
-        header('Content-Type: text/event-stream');
-        header('Cache-Control: no-cache');
-        header('X-Accel-Buffering: no');
-        echo ": waiting for room to be created\n\n";
-        flush();
-        exit();
-    }
-
     // Set SSE headers
     header('Content-Type: text/event-stream');
     header('Cache-Control: no-cache');
     header('X-Accel-Buffering: no'); // Disable nginx buffering
 
+    // Passphrase is optional for streaming (read-only)
+    // If room doesn't exist yet, we'll keep the connection open and wait for it
+
     // Track last known count
     $lastCount = 0;