diff --git a/nodes/fabric-bridge/src/fabric_bridge_node.cpp b/nodes/fabric-bridge/src/fabric_bridge_node.cpp
index 4f8ac90..e7ce366 100644
--- a/nodes/fabric-bridge/src/fabric_bridge_node.cpp
+++ b/nodes/fabric-bridge/src/fabric_bridge_node.cpp
@@ -74,11 +74,13 @@ void FabricBridgeNode::on_add_writer(const std::string& port_id, mxlFlowWriter w
 void FabricBridgeNode::on_add_reader(const std::string& port_id, mxlFlowReader reader) {
     if (port_id == "video_in") {
         reader_ = reader;
-        if (mode_ == FabricMode::Initiator && !target_info_str_.empty()) {
-            start_requested_.store(true);
-            spdlog::info("Fabric-bridge: reader added (initiator mode), signaling startup");
-        } else {
-            spdlog::info("Fabric-bridge: reader added (initiator mode), waiting for target_info");
+        if (mode_ == FabricMode::Initiator) {
+            if (!target_info_str_.empty() || !target_host_.empty()) {
+                start_requested_.store(true);
+                spdlog::info("Fabric-bridge: reader added (initiator mode), signaling startup");
+            } else {
+                spdlog::info("Fabric-bridge: reader added (initiator mode), waiting for target_info");
+            }
         }
     }
 }