diff --git a/src/freedombone b/src/freedombone
index 649d13a0..49ce3313 100755
--- a/src/freedombone
+++ b/src/freedombone
@@ -8462,6 +8462,11 @@ function install_irc_server {
   fi
   apt-get -y install ngircd
 
+  # for mesh peers also install an irc client
+  if [[ $SYSTEM_TYPE == "$VARIANT_MESH" ]]; then
+      apt-get -y install irssi
+  fi
+
   if [ ! -d /etc/ngircd ]; then
       echo "ERROR: ngircd does not appear to have installed. $CHECK_MESSAGE"
       exit 53