diff --git a/copyparty/httpcli.py b/copyparty/httpcli.py
index f2f3e4a1e..435b860f6 100644
--- a/copyparty/httpcli.py
+++ b/copyparty/httpcli.py
@@ -6896,11 +6896,17 @@ class HttpCli(object):
         return True
 
     def handle_fs_abrt(self):
+        rk = self.uparam["fs_abrt"]
+        if rk == "ping":
+            self.conn.hsrv.broker.ask("up2k.handle_fs_abrt", rk)
+            self.reply(b"pong")
+            return True
+
         if self.args.no_fs_abrt:
             t = "aborting an ongoing copy/move is disabled in server config"
             raise Pebkac(403, t)
 
-        self.conn.hsrv.broker.say("up2k.handle_fs_abrt", self.uparam["fs_abrt"])
+        self.conn.hsrv.broker.say("up2k.handle_fs_abrt", rk)
         self.loud_reply("aborting", status=200)
         return True
 
diff --git a/copyparty/up2k.py b/copyparty/up2k.py
index 50e8db3a8..d8253df78 100644
--- a/copyparty/up2k.py
+++ b/copyparty/up2k.py
@@ -4133,6 +4133,9 @@ class Up2k(object):
                 pass
 
     def handle_fs_abrt(self, akey: str) -> None:
+        if akey == "ping":
+            with self.mutex, self.reg_mutex:
+                return
         self.abrt_key = akey
 
     def handle_rm(