diff --git a/code/controllers/master.dm b/code/controllers/master.dm
index 4df9a46c136..ef91d1c1e64 100644
--- a/code/controllers/master.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/master.dm
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ var/CURRENT_TICKLIMIT = TICK_LIMIT_RUNNING
 
 	var/make_runtime = 0
 
+	var/initializations_finished_with_no_players_logged_in	//I wonder what this could be?
 	// Has round started? (So we know what subsystems to run)
 	var/round_started = 0
 
@@ -150,7 +151,9 @@ var/CURRENT_TICKLIMIT = TICK_LIMIT_RUNNING
 	// Set world options.
 	world.sleep_offline = 1
 	world.fps = config.fps
+	var/initialized_tod = world.timeofday
 	sleep(1)
+	initializations_finished_with_no_players_logged_in = initialized_tod < world.timeofday - 10
 	// Loop.
 	Master.StartProcessing(0)
 
diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
index e42845f9612..92244a45f0a 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
@@ -71,14 +71,17 @@ var/datum/subsystem/ticker/ticker
 		syndicate_code_response	= generate_code_phrase()
 	..()
 	start_at = world.time + (config.lobby_countdown * 10)
-	world << "<span class='boldnotice'>Welcome to [station_name()]!</span>"
-	world << "Please set up your character and select \"Ready\". The game will start in about [config.lobby_countdown] seconds."
-	current_state = GAME_STATE_PREGAME
-	for(var/client/C in clients)
-		window_flash(C, ignorepref = TRUE) //let them know lobby has opened up.
 
 /datum/subsystem/ticker/fire()
 	switch(current_state)
+		if(GAME_STATE_STARTUP)
+			if(Master.initializations_finished_with_no_players_logged_in)
+				start_at = world.time + (config.lobby_countdown * 10)
+			for(var/client/C in clients)
+				window_flash(C, ignorepref = TRUE) //let them know lobby has opened up.
+			world << "<span class='boldnotice'>Welcome to [station_name()]!</span>"
+			current_state = GAME_STATE_PREGAME
+			fire()
 		if(GAME_STATE_PREGAME)
 				//lobby stats for statpanels
 			if(isnull(timeLeft))
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/new_player/login.dm b/code/modules/mob/new_player/login.dm
index 0e70d3eea95..826a31c0a30 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/new_player/login.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/new_player/login.dm
@@ -28,3 +28,5 @@
 */
 	new_player_panel()
 	client.playtitlemusic()
+	if(ticker.current_state < GAME_STATE_SETTING_UP)
+		src << "Please set up your character and select \"Ready\". The game will start in about [round(ticker.GetTimeLeft()/10)] seconds."
\ No newline at end of file