diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/subsystems.dm b/code/__DEFINES/subsystems.dm
index d428fb6a009..39e45e5ce95 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/subsystems.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/subsystems.dm
@@ -113,7 +113,6 @@
 #define INIT_ORDER_DBCORE 95
 #define INIT_ORDER_BLACKBOX 94
 #define INIT_ORDER_SERVER_MAINT 93
-#define INIT_ORDER_SPEECH_CONTROLLER 92
 #define INIT_ORDER_INPUT 85
 #define INIT_ORDER_SOUNDS 83
 #define INIT_ORDER_INSTRUMENTS 82
diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/speech_controller.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/speech_controller.dm
index 96476127f41..3168fbd9e96 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/speech_controller.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/speech_controller.dm
@@ -1,9 +1,8 @@
 SUBSYSTEM_DEF(speech_controller)
 	name = "Speech Controller"
 	wait = 1
-	flags = SS_TICKER
+	flags = SS_TICKER|SS_NO_INIT
 	priority = FIRE_PRIORITY_SPEECH_CONTROLLER//has to be high priority, second in priority ONLY to SSinput
-	init_order = INIT_ORDER_SPEECH_CONTROLLER
 	runlevels = RUNLEVELS_DEFAULT | RUNLEVEL_LOBBY
 
 	///used so that an admin can force all speech verbs to execute immediately instead of queueing