diff --git a/code/controllers/master.dm b/code/controllers/master.dm
index 07cf071246..cc6b224b5b 100644
--- a/code/controllers/master.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/master.dm
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ GLOBAL_REAL(Master, /datum/controller/master) = new
 
 	var/current_runlevel	//for scheduling different subsystems for different stages of the round
 
+	var/dbg_is_running_subsystem = FALSE  // TEMPORARY DEBUGGING - true only while we are actually waiting on a subsystem
+
 	var/static/restart_clear = 0
 	var/static/restart_timeout = 0
 	var/static/restart_count = 0
@@ -474,9 +476,11 @@ GLOBAL_REAL(Master, /datum/controller/master) = new
 
 			queue_node.state = SS_RUNNING
 
+			dbg_is_running_subsystem = TRUE // TEMPORARY DEBUGGING
 			tick_usage = TICK_USAGE
 			var/state = queue_node.ignite(queue_node_paused)
 			tick_usage = TICK_USAGE - tick_usage
+			dbg_is_running_subsystem = FALSE // TEMPORARY DEBUGGING
 
 			if (state == SS_RUNNING)
 				state = SS_IDLE