diff --git a/.env.template b/.env.template
index 1f4306be..f9f2c777 100644
--- a/.env.template
+++ b/.env.template
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # ====================================================
-# MiroTalk P2P v.1.7.52 - Environment Configuration
+# MiroTalk P2P v.1.7.53 - Environment Configuration
 # ====================================================
 
 # App environment
diff --git a/app/src/config.template.js b/app/src/config.template.js
index 405884a0..d5a31088 100644
--- a/app/src/config.template.js
+++ b/app/src/config.template.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 /**
  * ==============================================
- * MiroTalk P2P v.1.7.52 - Configuration File
+ * MiroTalk P2P v.1.7.53 - Configuration File
  * ==============================================
  *
  * This file is the central configuration source.
diff --git a/app/src/server.js b/app/src/server.js
index 840f86dd..1583b562 100755
--- a/app/src/server.js
+++ b/app/src/server.js
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ dependencies: {
  * @license For commercial use or closed source, contact us at license.mirotalk@gmail.com or purchase directly from CodeCanyon
  * @license CodeCanyon: https://codecanyon.net/item/mirotalk-p2p-webrtc-realtime-video-conferences/38376661
  * @author  Miroslav Pejic - miroslav.pejic.85@gmail.com
- * @version 1.7.52
+ * @version 1.7.53
  *
  */
 
@@ -693,7 +693,7 @@ app.get('/join/:roomId', function (req, res) {
 
     if (allowRoomAccess) {
         htmlInjector.injectHtml(views.client, res);
-    } else if (!OIDC.enabled && hostCfg.protected) {
+    } else if (OIDC.enabled || hostCfg.protected) {
         // Guest arrived before host opened the room — show waiting page
         htmlInjector.injectHtml(views.waitingRoom, res);
     } else {
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 420b8aa9..27487ce1 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
     "name": "mirotalk",
-    "version": "1.7.52",
+    "version": "1.7.53",
     "lockfileVersion": 3,
     "requires": true,
     "packages": {
         "": {
             "name": "mirotalk",
-            "version": "1.7.52",
+            "version": "1.7.53",
             "license": "AGPL-3.0",
             "dependencies": {
                 "@mattermost/client": "11.4.0",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index dfbf5f39..040948b0 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
     "name": "mirotalk",
-    "version": "1.7.52",
+    "version": "1.7.53",
     "description": "A free WebRTC browser-based video call",
     "main": "server.js",
     "scripts": {
diff --git a/public/js/brand.js b/public/js/brand.js
index 77a2fbd2..6c7430d6 100644
--- a/public/js/brand.js
+++ b/public/js/brand.js
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ let brand = {
     },
     about: {
         imageUrl: '../images/mirotalk-logo.gif',
-        title: 'WebRTC P2P v1.7.52',
+        title: 'WebRTC P2P v1.7.53',
         html: `
             <button 
                 id="support-button" 
diff --git a/public/js/client.js b/public/js/client.js
index e2fb03e2..3c296031 100644
--- a/public/js/client.js
+++ b/public/js/client.js
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
  * @license For commercial use or closed source, contact us at license.mirotalk@gmail.com or purchase directly from CodeCanyon
  * @license CodeCanyon: https://codecanyon.net/item/mirotalk-p2p-webrtc-realtime-video-conferences/38376661
  * @author  Miroslav Pejic - miroslav.pejic.85@gmail.com
- * @version 1.7.52
+ * @version 1.7.53
  *
  */
 
@@ -13738,7 +13738,7 @@ function showAbout() {
     Swal.fire({
         background: swBg,
         position: 'center',
-        title: brand.about?.title && brand.about.title.trim() !== '' ? brand.about.title : 'WebRTC P2P v1.7.52',
+        title: brand.about?.title && brand.about.title.trim() !== '' ? brand.about.title : 'WebRTC P2P v1.7.53',
         imageUrl: brand.about?.imageUrl && brand.about.imageUrl.trim() !== '' ? brand.about.imageUrl : images.about,
         customClass: { image: 'img-about' },
         html: `