diff --git a/code/modules/modular_computers/file_system/programs/chatroom/ntnrc_client.dm b/code/modules/modular_computers/file_system/programs/chatroom/ntnrc_client.dm
index 9cd92c5fe6d..9e7385c0b65 100644
--- a/code/modules/modular_computers/file_system/programs/chatroom/ntnrc_client.dm
+++ b/code/modules/modular_computers/file_system/programs/chatroom/ntnrc_client.dm
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@
 
 #define PING_COOLDOWN_TIME (3 SECONDS)
 
+#define STATUS_ONLINE 3
+#define STATUS_AWAY 2
+#define STATUS_OFFLINE 1
+
 /datum/computer_file/program/chatclient
 	filename = "ntnrc_client"
 	filedesc = "Chat Client"
@@ -208,6 +212,14 @@
 	active_channel = null
 	return ..()
 
+/// Converts active/idle/closed to a numerical status for sorting clients by.
+/datum/computer_file/program/chatclient/proc/get_numerical_status()
+	if(src == computer.active_program)
+		return STATUS_ONLINE
+	if(src in computer.idle_threads)
+		return STATUS_AWAY
+	return STATUS_OFFLINE
+
 /datum/computer_file/program/chatclient/ui_static_data(mob/user)
 	var/list/data = list()
 	data["selfref"] = REF(src) //used to verify who is you, as usernames can be copied.
@@ -244,6 +256,7 @@
 				"away" = (channel_client in channel_client.computer.idle_threads),
 				"muted" = (channel_client in channel.muted_clients),
 				"operator" = (channel.channel_operator == channel_client),
+				"status" = channel_client.get_numerical_status(),
 				"ref" = REF(channel_client),
 			)))
 		//no fishing for ui data allowed
@@ -269,3 +282,7 @@
 #undef MESSAGE_SIZE
 
 #undef PING_COOLDOWN_TIME
+
+#undef STATUS_ONLINE
+#undef STATUS_AWAY
+#undef STATUS_OFFLINE
diff --git a/tgui/packages/tgui/interfaces/NtosNetChat.jsx b/tgui/packages/tgui/interfaces/NtosNetChat.jsx
index 650520dd3a5..61f4a7998cc 100644
--- a/tgui/packages/tgui/interfaces/NtosNetChat.jsx
+++ b/tgui/packages/tgui/interfaces/NtosNetChat.jsx
@@ -62,15 +62,13 @@ export const NtosNetChat = (props) => {
   } = data;
   const in_channel = active_channel !== null;
   const authorized = authed || adminmode;
-  // this list has cliented ordered from their status. online > away > offline
+  // This list has clients ordered by operator>status>alphabetical
   const displayed_clients = clients.sort((clientA, clientB) => {
-    if (clientA.operator) {
-      return -1;
-    }
-    if (clientB.operator) {
-      return 1;
-    }
-    return clientB.status - clientA.status;
+    return (
+      clientB.operator - clientA.operator ||
+      clientB.status - clientA.status ||
+      clientB.name < clientA.name
+    );
   });
   const client_color = (client) => {
     if (client.operator) {