diff --git a/src/server/game/Entities/Player/Player.cpp b/src/server/game/Entities/Player/Player.cpp
index fdb0b52636..ba5f443983 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Entities/Player/Player.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Entities/Player/Player.cpp
@@ -26759,3 +26759,8 @@ Pet* Player::SummonPet(uint32 entry, float x, float y, float z, float ang, PetTy
 
     return pet;
 }
+
+bool Player::IsLoading() const
+{
+    return GetSession()->PlayerLoading();
+}
diff --git a/src/server/game/Entities/Player/Player.h b/src/server/game/Entities/Player/Player.h
index 52674032c0..9417583496 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Entities/Player/Player.h
+++ b/src/server/game/Entities/Player/Player.h
@@ -2303,6 +2303,8 @@ class Player : public Unit, public GridObject<Player>
         std::string GetMapAreaAndZoneString();
         std::string GetCoordsMapAreaAndZoneString();
 
+        bool IsLoading() const;
+
     protected:
         // Gamemaster whisper whitelist
         WhisperListContainer WhisperList;
diff --git a/src/server/game/Maps/Map.cpp b/src/server/game/Maps/Map.cpp
index ba27123533..d3be33cb44 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Maps/Map.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Maps/Map.cpp
@@ -2854,10 +2854,9 @@ bool InstanceMap::CanEnter(Player* player)
         return false;
     }
 
-    // cannot enter while an encounter is in progress on raids
-    /*Group* group = player->GetGroup();
-    if (!player->IsGameMaster() && group && group->InCombatToInstance(GetInstanceId()) && player->GetMapId() != GetId())*/
-    if (IsRaid() && GetInstanceScript() && GetInstanceScript()->IsEncounterInProgress())
+    // cannot enter while an encounter is in progress
+    // allow if just loading
+    if (!player->IsLoading() && IsRaid() && GetInstanceScript() && GetInstanceScript()->IsEncounterInProgress())
     {
         player->SendTransferAborted(GetId(), TRANSFER_ABORT_ZONE_IN_COMBAT);
         return false;