diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/SSticker.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/SSticker.dm
index 7eea0f7937a..4c575f6bbbe 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/SSticker.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/SSticker.dm
@@ -180,6 +180,7 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(ticker)
 		hide_mode = TRUE
 
 	var/list/datum/game_mode/runnable_modes
+	var/is_admin_forced = FALSE
 
 	if(GLOB.master_mode == "random" || GLOB.master_mode == "secret")
 		runnable_modes = GLOB.configuration.gamemode.get_runnable_modes()
@@ -190,9 +191,9 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(ticker)
 			Master.SetRunLevel(RUNLEVEL_LOBBY)
 			return FALSE
 		if(GLOB.secret_force_mode != "secret")
-			var/datum/game_mode/M = GLOB.configuration.gamemode.pick_mode(GLOB.secret_force_mode)
-			if(M.can_start())
-				mode = GLOB.configuration.gamemode.pick_mode(GLOB.secret_force_mode)
+			mode = GLOB.configuration.gamemode.pick_mode(GLOB.secret_force_mode)
+			is_admin_forced = TRUE
+
 		SSjobs.ResetOccupations()
 		if(!mode)
 			mode = pickweight(runnable_modes)
@@ -202,7 +203,7 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(ticker)
 	else
 		mode = GLOB.configuration.gamemode.pick_mode(GLOB.master_mode)
 
-	if(!mode.can_start())
+	if(!mode.can_start() && !is_admin_forced)
 		to_chat(world, "<B>Unable to start [mode.name].</B> Not enough players, [mode.required_players] players needed. Reverting to pre-game lobby.")
 		mode = null
 		current_state = GAME_STATE_PREGAME