diff --git a/cmd/sketch/main.go b/cmd/sketch/main.go
index 3d8e14b..c35aa48 100644
--- a/cmd/sketch/main.go
+++ b/cmd/sketch/main.go
@@ -335,10 +335,12 @@
 	// Start skaband connection loop if needed
 	if *skabandAddr != "" {
 		connectFn := func(connected bool) {
-			if connected {
-				s.AppendSystemMessage("skaband connected")
-			} else {
-				s.AppendSystemMessage("skaband disconnected")
+			if *verbose {
+				if connected {
+					s.AppendSystemMessage("skaband connected")
+				} else {
+					s.AppendSystemMessage("skaband disconnected")
+				}
 			}
 		}
 		go skabandclient.DialAndServeLoop(ctx, *skabandAddr, *sessionID, pubKey, srv, connectFn)