diff --git a/WebHostLib/customserver.py b/WebHostLib/customserver.py
index 59eb1d3d..7e886e72 100644
--- a/WebHostLib/customserver.py
+++ b/WebHostLib/customserver.py
@@ -184,4 +184,12 @@ def run_server_process(room_id, ponyconfig: dict, static_server_data: dict):
 
     from .autolauncher import Locker
     with Locker(room_id):
-        asyncio.run(main())
+        try:
+            asyncio.run(main())
+        except:
+            with db_session:
+                room = Room.get(id=room_id)
+                room.last_port = -1
+                # ensure the Room does not spin up again on its own, minute of safety buffer
+                room.last_activity = datetime.datetime.utcnow() - datetime.timedelta(minutes=1, seconds=room.timeout)
+            raise
diff --git a/WebHostLib/models.py b/WebHostLib/models.py
index 0dc67a51..dbd03b16 100644
--- a/WebHostLib/models.py
+++ b/WebHostLib/models.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ class Room(db.Entity):
     show_spoiler = Required(int, default=0)  # 0 -> never, 1 -> after completion, -> 2 always
     timeout = Required(int, default=lambda: 2 * 60 * 60)  # seconds since last activity to shutdown
     tracker = Optional(UUID, index=True)
+    # Port special value -1 means the server errored out. Another attempt can be made with a page refresh
     last_port = Optional(int, default=lambda: 0)
 
 
diff --git a/WebHostLib/templates/hostRoom.html b/WebHostLib/templates/hostRoom.html
index 8981de9b..1c8f3de2 100644
--- a/WebHostLib/templates/hostRoom.html
+++ b/WebHostLib/templates/hostRoom.html
@@ -20,12 +20,16 @@
         The server for this room will be paused after {{ room.timeout//60//60 }} hours of inactivity.
         Should you wish to continue later,
         anyone can simply refresh this page and the server will resume.<br>
-        {% if room.last_port %}
+        {% if room.last_port == -1 %}
+            There was an error hosting this Room. Another attempt will be made on refreshing this page.
+            The most likely failure reason is that the multiworld is too old to be loaded now.
+        {% elif room.last_port %}
             You can connect to this room by using <span class="interactive"
             data-tooltip="This means address/ip is {{ config['PATCH_TARGET'] }} and port is {{ room.last_port }}.">
             '/connect {{ config['PATCH_TARGET'] }}:{{ room.last_port }}'
             </span>
-            in the <a href="{{ url_for("tutorial_landing")}}">client</a>.<br>{% endif %}
+            in the <a href="{{ url_for("tutorial_landing")}}">client</a>.<br>
+        {% endif %}
         {{ macros.list_patches_room(room) }}
         {% if room.owner == session["_id"] %}
             <form method=post>