diff --git a/realm/chess.gno b/realm/chess.gno
index 9703658..91e3afd 100644
--- a/realm/chess.gno
+++ b/realm/chess.gno
@@ -513,7 +513,14 @@ func Resign(gameID string) string {
 	std.AssertOriginCall()
 
 	g := getGame(gameID, true)
+	err := resign(g)
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err.String())
+	}
+	return g.json()
+}
 
+func resign(g *Game) error {
 	caller := std.GetOrigCaller()
 	switch caller {
 	case g.Black:
@@ -523,12 +530,12 @@ func Resign(gameID string) string {
 		g.State = GameStateResigned
 		g.Winner = WinnerBlack
 	default:
-		panic("you are not involved in this game")
+		return errors.New("you are not involved in this game")
 	}
 	g.DrawOfferer = nil
 	g.saveResult()
 
-	return g.json()
+	return nil
 }
 
 // DrawOffer creates a draw offer in the current game, if one doesn't already
diff --git a/realm/lobby.gno b/realm/lobby.gno
index 8f5db18..894f11b 100644
--- a/realm/lobby.gno
+++ b/realm/lobby.gno
@@ -83,7 +83,16 @@ func LobbyJoin(seconds, increment int) {
 	// Ensure that user's previous games are finished (or timed out).
 	caller := std.GetOrigCaller()
 
-	assertGamesFinished(getUserGames(caller))
+	games := getUserGames(caller)
+	// XXX: temporary to avoid ever prohibiting a user from joining the lobby.
+	// when possible, change back to assertGamesFinished(games)
+	for _, g := range games {
+		if !g.State.IsFinished() {
+			if err := resign(g); err != nil {
+				panic("internal error (could not resign game " + g.ID + "): " + err.Error())
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	assertUserNotInLobby(caller)
 
 	// remove caller from lobbyPlayer2Game, so LobbyGameFound