diff --git a/meshtastic_client.py b/meshtastic_client.py
index f966759..e5f5f6a 100644
--- a/meshtastic_client.py
+++ b/meshtastic_client.py
@@ -833,7 +833,8 @@ class MeshtasticGUI:
             shortname = user.get("shortName") or ""
             longname = user.get("longName") or ""
             hwmodel = user.get("hwModel") or ""
-            role = user.get("role") or ""
+            role_raw = user.get("role") or ""
+            role = role_raw if role_raw.strip() else "CLIENT"
             macaddr = user.get("macaddr") or ""
             publickey = user.get("publicKey") or ""
             unmsg = user.get("isUnmessagable") or user.get("isUnmessageable") or False
@@ -1641,4 +1642,4 @@ def main():
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    main()
\ No newline at end of file
+    main()