diff --git a/proxy/src/main/java/com/velocitypowered/proxy/protocol/packet/ServerLogin.java b/proxy/src/main/java/com/velocitypowered/proxy/protocol/packet/ServerLogin.java
index 33febbe94..0cd589ee9 100644
--- a/proxy/src/main/java/com/velocitypowered/proxy/protocol/packet/ServerLogin.java
+++ b/proxy/src/main/java/com/velocitypowered/proxy/protocol/packet/ServerLogin.java
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ public class ServerLogin implements MinecraftPacket {
   public int expectedMaxLength(ByteBuf buf, Direction direction, ProtocolVersion version) {
     // Accommodate the rare (but likely malicious) use of UTF-8 usernames, since it is technically
     // legal on the protocol level.
-    int base = 1 + (16 * 4);
+    int base = 1 + (16 * 3);
     // Adjustments for Key-authentication
     if (version.compareTo(ProtocolVersion.MINECRAFT_1_19) >= 0) {
       if (version.compareTo(ProtocolVersion.MINECRAFT_1_19_3) < 0) {
diff --git a/proxy/src/main/java/com/velocitypowered/proxy/server/VelocityRegisteredServer.java b/proxy/src/main/java/com/velocitypowered/proxy/server/VelocityRegisteredServer.java
index dc671414d..fe28ae00e 100644
--- a/proxy/src/main/java/com/velocitypowered/proxy/server/VelocityRegisteredServer.java
+++ b/proxy/src/main/java/com/velocitypowered/proxy/server/VelocityRegisteredServer.java
@@ -155,9 +155,10 @@ public class VelocityRegisteredServer implements RegisteredServer, ForwardingAud
    */
   public boolean sendPluginMessage(ChannelIdentifier identifier, ByteBuf data) {
     for (ConnectedPlayer player : players.values()) {
-      VelocityServerConnection connection = player.getConnectedServer();
-      if (connection != null && connection.getServer() == this) {
-        return connection.sendPluginMessage(identifier, data);
+      VelocityServerConnection serverConnection = player.getConnectedServer();
+      if (serverConnection != null && serverConnection.getConnection() != null
+              && serverConnection.getServer() == this) {
+        return serverConnection.sendPluginMessage(identifier, data);
       }
     }