diff --git a/docs/getting-started.rst b/docs/getting-started.rst
index 1927652..8d1fddc 100644
--- a/docs/getting-started.rst
+++ b/docs/getting-started.rst
@@ -141,6 +141,8 @@ need to change the socket address if you're using a development VM or similar)::
     socket.onopen = function() {
         socket.send("hello world");
     }
+    // Call onopen directly if socket is already open
+    if (socket.readyState == WebSocket.OPEN) socket.onopen();
 
 You should see an alert come back immediately saying "hello world" - your
 message has round-tripped through the server and come back to trigger the alert.
@@ -235,6 +237,8 @@ code in the developer console as before::
     socket.onopen = function() {
         socket.send("hello world");
     }
+    // Call onopen directly if socket is already open
+    if (socket.readyState == WebSocket.OPEN) socket.onopen();
 
 You should see an alert come back immediately saying "hello world" - but this
 time, you can open another tab and do the same there, and both tabs will