diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/drone/drone_manufacturer.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/drone/drone_manufacturer.dm
index 0220dcc4d17..b0912774424 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/drone/drone_manufacturer.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/drone/drone_manufacturer.dm
@@ -97,6 +97,10 @@
 	if(jobban_isbanned(src,"nonhumandept") || jobban_isbanned(src,"Drone"))
 		usr << "\red You are banned from playing drones and cannot spawn as a drone."
 		return
+
+	if(!ticker || ticker.current_state < 3)
+		src << "<span class='warning'>You can't join as a drone before the game starts!</span>"
+		return
 		
 	var/drone_age = 14 // 14 days to play as a drone
 	var/player_age_check = check_client_age(usr.client, drone_age)
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/mob.dm b/code/modules/mob/mob.dm
index ac726058103..368c79ca93b 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/mob.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/mob.dm
@@ -1337,6 +1337,10 @@ mob/proc/yank_out_object()
 		usr << "<span class='warning'>You are banned from playing as NPC's.</span>"
 		return
 
+	if(!ticker || ticker.current_state < 3)
+		src << "<span class='warning'>You can't respawn as an NPC before the game starts!</span>"
+		return
+
 	if((usr in respawnable_list) && (stat==2 || istype(usr,/mob/dead/observer)))
 		var/list/creatures = list("Mouse")
 		for(var/mob/living/L in living_mob_list)