diff --git a/code/modules/shuttles/escape_pods.dm b/code/modules/shuttles/escape_pods.dm
index 769c5f06890..0261997a9d3 100644
--- a/code/modules/shuttles/escape_pods.dm
+++ b/code/modules/shuttles/escape_pods.dm
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 	var/datum/computer/file/embedded_program/docking/simple/escape_pod/arming_controller
 
 /datum/shuttle/ferry/escape_pod/can_launch()
-	if(arming_controller && !arming_controller.armed)
+	if(arming_controller && !arming_controller.armed)	//must be armed
 		return 0
 	if(location)
 		return 0	//it's a one-way trip.
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 		"override_enabled" = docking_program.override_enabled,
 		"door_state" = 	docking_program.memory["door_status"]["state"],
 		"door_lock" = 	docking_program.memory["door_status"]["lock"],
-		"can_force" = pod.can_force(),
+		"can_force" = pod.can_force() || (emergency_shuttle.departed && pod.can_launch()),	//allow players to manually launch ahead of time if the shuttle leaves
 		"is_armed" = pod.arming_controller.armed,
 	)
 
@@ -49,7 +49,10 @@
 	if("manual_arm")
 		pod.arming_controller.arm()
 	if("force_launch")
-		pod.force_launch(src)
+		if (pod.can_force())
+			pod.force_launch(src)
+		else if (emergency_shuttle.departed && pod.can_launch())	//allow players to manually launch ahead of time if the shuttle leaves
+			pod.launch(src)
 
 	return 0