diff --git a/osu.Game.Tests/Chat/TestSceneChannelManager.cs b/osu.Game.Tests/Chat/TestSceneChannelManager.cs
index cdd192cfe1..3a4c55c65c 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Tests/Chat/TestSceneChannelManager.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Tests/Chat/TestSceneChannelManager.cs
@@ -75,6 +75,8 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Chat
                     return false;
                 };
             });
+
+            AddUntilStep("wait for notifications client", () => channelManager.NotificationsConnected);
         }
 
         [Test]
diff --git a/osu.Game/Online/Chat/ChannelManager.cs b/osu.Game/Online/Chat/ChannelManager.cs
index 1e3921bac0..7ab678775f 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Online/Chat/ChannelManager.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Online/Chat/ChannelManager.cs
@@ -64,6 +64,11 @@ namespace osu.Game.Online.Chat
         /// </summary>
         public IBindableList<Channel> AvailableChannels => availableChannels;
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Whether the client responsible for channel notifications is connected.
+        /// </summary>
+        public bool NotificationsConnected => connector.IsConnected.Value;
+
         private readonly IAPIProvider api;
         private readonly NotificationsClientConnector connector;