diff --git a/usr.bin/sockstat/main.c b/usr.bin/sockstat/main.c
--- a/usr.bin/sockstat/main.c
+++ b/usr.bin/sockstat/main.c
@@ -1789,9 +1789,11 @@
 	argc = xo_parse_args(argc, argv);
 	if (argc < 0)
 		exit(1);
-	if (xo_get_style(NULL) != XO_STYLE_TEXT &&
-		xo_get_style(NULL) != XO_STYLE_HTML)
-		is_xo_style_encoding = true;
+	if (xo_get_style(NULL) != XO_STYLE_TEXT) {
+		show_path_state = true;
+		if (xo_get_style(NULL) != XO_STYLE_HTML)
+			is_xo_style_encoding = true;
+	}
 	opt_j = -1;
 	while ((o = getopt(argc, argv, "46AbCcfIij:Llnp:P:qSsUuvw")) != -1)
 		switch (o) {
diff --git a/usr.bin/sockstat/sockstat.1 b/usr.bin/sockstat/sockstat.1
--- a/usr.bin/sockstat/sockstat.1
+++ b/usr.bin/sockstat/sockstat.1
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 .\" (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
 .\" THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 .\"
-.Dd October 9, 2025
+.Dd October 14, 2025
 .Dt SOCKSTAT 1
 .Os
 .Sh NAME
@@ -205,7 +205,8 @@
 The path state if
 .Fl s
 is specified (only for SCTP).
-This column is only shown when there is at least one path state shown.
+When using traditional text output, this column is only shown when there is at
+least one path state to show.
 .It Li CONN STATE
 The connection state if
 .Fl s