diff --git a/hbd/server/udp.py b/hbd/server/udp.py
index eef799c..afc4a3d 100644
--- a/hbd/server/udp.py
+++ b/hbd/server/udp.py
@@ -373,8 +373,11 @@ def handle_datagram(msg: dict, addr, transport, ctx: dict):
 
             # If os_info reports an owner and none is configured server-side, apply it
             if plugin_name == "os_info":
-                if not host.owner:
-                    host.owner = plugin_data.get("owner", config_mod.get_default_owner(cfg))
+                config_owner =  config_mod.get_host_access(cfg, uname).get("owner")
+                default_owner = config_mod.get_default_owner(cfg)
+                inferred_owner = plugin_data.get("owner", config_owner or default_owner)    
+                host.owner = inferred_owner
+                logger.info(f"owner for {uname} is '{host.owner}")
             if DEBUG > 1:
                 print(f"Stored plugin data for {uname}: {plugin_name}")