diff --git a/boards/static/js/thread_update.js b/boards/static/js/thread_update.js
--- a/boards/static/js/thread_update.js
+++ b/boards/static/js/thread_update.js
@@ -63,7 +63,10 @@ function connectWebsocket() {
         centrifuge.on('error', function(error_message) {
             console.log("Error connecting to websocket server.");
             console.log(error_message);
-            return false;
+            console.log("Using javascript update instead.");
+
+            // If websockets don't work, enable JS update instead
+            enableJsUpdate()
         });
 
         centrifuge.on('connect', function() {