diff --git a/public/javascripts/messaging.js b/public/javascripts/messaging.js
index f0977a40c..3e8948174 100644
--- a/public/javascripts/messaging.js
+++ b/public/javascripts/messaging.js
@@ -39,9 +39,11 @@ const messaging = (function() {
     }
 
     function connectWebSocket() {
+        const protocol = document.location.protocol === 'https:' ? 'wss' : 'ws';
+
         // use wss for secure messaging
-        ws = new WebSocket("ws://" + location.host);
-        ws.onopen = function (event) {};
+        ws = new WebSocket(protocol + "://" + location.host);
+        ws.onopen = event => console.log("Connected to server with WebSocket");
         ws.onmessage = messageHandler;
         ws.onclose = function(){
             // Try to reconnect in 5 seconds