diff --git a/dChatServer/ChatPacketHandler.cpp b/dChatServer/ChatPacketHandler.cpp
index 24cb0654..ec53e971 100644
--- a/dChatServer/ChatPacketHandler.cpp
+++ b/dChatServer/ChatPacketHandler.cpp
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ void ChatPacketHandler::HandleFriendRequest(Packet* packet) {
 	uint32_t spacing{};
 	inStream.Read(spacing);
 	LUWString playerName(33);
+	inStream.Read(playerName);
 
 	char isBestFriendRequest{};
 	inStream.Read(isBestFriendRequest);
diff --git a/dWorldServer/WorldServer.cpp b/dWorldServer/WorldServer.cpp
index 94ba5cfc..8512662f 100644
--- a/dWorldServer/WorldServer.cpp
+++ b/dWorldServer/WorldServer.cpp
@@ -905,7 +905,7 @@ void HandlePacket(Packet* packet) {
 			delete res;
 
 			// Developers may skip this check
-			if (clientDatabaseChecksum.string != databaseChecksum) {
+			if (gmLevel < 8 && clientDatabaseChecksum.string != databaseChecksum) {
 				Game::logger->Log("WorldServer", "Client's database checksum does not match the server's, aborting connection.");
 				Game::server->Disconnect(packet->systemAddress, eServerDisconnectIdentifiers::WRONG_GAME_VERSION);
 				return;