diff --git a/code/modules/events/alien_infestation.dm b/code/modules/events/alien_infestation.dm
index dabe6333156..0d8ec05ee2f 100644
--- a/code/modules/events/alien_infestation.dm
+++ b/code/modules/events/alien_infestation.dm
@@ -18,6 +18,11 @@
 	playercount = length(GLOB.clients)//grab playercount when event starts not when game starts
 	if(playercount >= highpop_trigger) //spawn with 4 if highpop
 		spawncount = 4
+	if(length(GLOB.crew_list) < 50) // manifest must have 50 crew to roll
+		// if xenos dont roll due to pop, try again to roll for a major in 60 seconds
+		var/datum/event_container/EC = SSevents.event_containers[EVENT_LEVEL_MAJOR]
+		EC.next_event_time = world.time + 1 MINUTES
+		return
 	INVOKE_ASYNC(src, PROC_REF(spawn_xenos))
 
 /datum/event/alien_infestation/proc/spawn_xenos()