diff --git a/server/router.go b/server/router.go
index 97cb650..d58c4da 100644
--- a/server/router.go
+++ b/server/router.go
@@ -129,13 +129,16 @@ func (r *RedisRouter) Route(msg *meowlib.ToServerMessage) (*meowlib.FromServerMe
 			from_server.Invitation.Expiry = expiry.UTC().Unix()
 		case 2: // get invitation
 			from_server.Invitation = &meowlib.Invitation{}
-			from_server.Invitation.Payload, err = r.GetInvitation(msg.Invitation.Shortcode, msg.Invitation.Password)
+			invitation, err := r.GetInvitation(msg.Invitation.Shortcode, msg.Invitation.Password)
+
 			if err != nil {
 				if err.Error() == "auth failed" {
 					from_server.Invitation.Payload = []byte("authentication failure")
 				} else {
 					from_server.Invitation.Payload = []byte("invitation expired")
 				}
+			} else {
+				from_server.Invitation.Payload = append(from_server.Invitation.Payload, invitation...) // protobuf invitation
 			}
 
 			/* should not happen