def cmd_PLAY_ERROR(game, msg):
     game.tui.log_msg('? ' + msg)
-    game.tui.flash()
+    game.tui.flash = True
     game.tui.do_refresh = True
 cmd_PLAY_ERROR.argtypes = 'string'
 
         self.force_instant_connect = True
         self.input_lines = []
         self.fov = ''
+        self.flash = False
         curses.wrapper(self.loop)
 
-    def flash(self):
-        curses.flash()
-
     def connect(self):
 
         def handle_recv(msg):
                 self.explorer = target
                 self.query_info()
             else:
-                self.flash()
+                self.flash = True
 
         def draw_history():
             lines = []
                 else:
                     self.send('PING')
                 last_ping = now
+            if self.flash:
+                curses.flash()
+                self.flash = False
             if self.do_refresh:
                 draw_screen()
                 self.do_refresh = False
                         self.host = self.game.portals[player.position]
                         self.reconnect()
                     else:
-                        self.flash()
+                        self.flash = True
                         self.log_msg('? not standing on portal')
                 elif key in self.movement_keys and 'MOVE' in self.game.tasks:
                     self.send('TASK:MOVE ' + self.movement_keys[key])