diff --git a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/connection.rb b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/connection.rb
index 81bbfbc8d..d8136a486 100644
--- a/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/connection.rb
+++ b/ruby/lib/jam_ruby/models/connection.rb
@@ -119,7 +119,8 @@ module JamRuby
             if !(music_session.music_session.creator.id == user.id ||
                 music_session.creator.id == user.id ||
                 music_session.invited_musicians.exists?(user.id) ||
-                music_session.is_lesson_member?(user))
+                music_session.is_lesson_member?(user) ||
+                (music_session.friends_can_join && user.friends?(music_session.creator)))
               errors.add(:approval_required, ValidationMessages::INVITE_REQUIRED)
               return false
             end
@@ -129,8 +130,8 @@ module JamRuby
           if !(music_session.music_session.creator.id == user.id ||
               music_session.creator.id == user.id ||
               music_session.invited_musicians.exists?(user.id) ||
-              music_session.is_lesson_member?(user))
-
+              music_session.is_lesson_member?(user) ||
+              (music_session.friends_can_join && user.friends?(music_session.creator)))
             errors.add(:musician_access, ValidationMessages::INVITE_REQUIRED)
             return false
           end