diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/SSjobs.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/SSjobs.dm
index df436ef8106..5b2d10876b0 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/SSjobs.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/SSjobs.dm
@@ -428,6 +428,9 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(jobs)
 					AssignRole(player, "Assistant")
 			else
 				AssignRole(player, "Assistant")
+		else if(length(player.mind.restricted_roles))
+			stack_trace("A player with `restricted_roles` had no `special_role`. They are likely an antagonist, but failed to spawn in.") // this can be fixed by assigning a special_role in pre_setup of the gamemode
+			message_admins("A player mind ([player.mind]) is likely an antagonist, but may have failed to spawn in! Please report this to coders.")
 
 	// Then we assign what we can to everyone else.
 	for(var/mob/new_player/player in unassigned)
diff --git a/code/game/gamemodes/revolution/revolution.dm b/code/game/gamemodes/revolution/revolution.dm
index 93c6eaec86d..9583e0e849f 100644
--- a/code/game/gamemodes/revolution/revolution.dm
+++ b/code/game/gamemodes/revolution/revolution.dm
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
 		var/datum/mind/new_headrev = pick_n_take(possible_revolutionaries)
 		pre_revolutionaries |= new_headrev
 		new_headrev.restricted_roles = restricted_jobs
+		new_headrev.special_role = SPECIAL_ROLE_HEAD_REV
 
 	if(length(pre_revolutionaries) < required_enemies)
 		return FALSE