diff --git a/scripts/spartan/worker.py b/scripts/spartan/worker.py
index b4ebbd8..6f505fc 100644
--- a/scripts/spartan/worker.py
+++ b/scripts/spartan/worker.py
@@ -707,11 +707,19 @@ class Worker:
         logger.error(f"{err_msg}: {response}")
         return False
 
-    def set_state(self, state: State):
+    def set_state(self, state: State, expect_cycle: bool = False):
+        """
+        Updates the state of a worker if considered a valid operation
+
+        Args:
+            state: the new state to try transitioning to
+            expect_cycle: whether this transition might be a no-op/self-loop
+
+        """
         state_cache = self.state
 
         def transition(ns: State):
-            if ns == self.state:
+            if ns == self.state and expect_cycle is False:
                 logger.debug(f"{self.label}: potentially redundant transition {self.state.name} -> {ns.name}")
                 return
 
diff --git a/scripts/spartan/world.py b/scripts/spartan/world.py
index fe06d07..4b6c57a 100644
--- a/scripts/spartan/world.py
+++ b/scripts/spartan/world.py
@@ -725,7 +725,7 @@ class World:
                     msg = f"worker '{worker.label}' is online"
                     logger.info(msg)
                     gradio.Info("Distributed: "+msg)
-                    worker.set_state(State.IDLE)
+                    worker.set_state(State.IDLE, expect_cycle=True)
                 else:
                     msg = f"worker '{worker.label}' is unreachable"
                     logger.info(msg)