diff --git a/code/controllers/configuration.dm b/code/controllers/configuration.dm
index 2af8467b98d..dceabff846c 100644
--- a/code/controllers/configuration.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/configuration.dm
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ var/list/gamemode_cache = list()
 	var/allow_admin_jump = 1			// allows admin jumping
 	var/allow_admin_spawning = 1		// allows admin item spawning
 	var/allow_admin_rev = 1				// allows admin revives
+	var/pregame_time = 180				// pregame time in seconds
 	var/vote_delay = 6000				// minimum time between voting sessions (deciseconds, 10 minute default)
 	var/vote_period = 600				// length of voting period (deciseconds, default 1 minute)
 	var/vote_autotransfer_initial = 108000 // Length of time before the first autotransfer vote is called
@@ -420,6 +421,9 @@ var/list/gamemode_cache = list()
 				if ("default_no_vote")
 					config.vote_no_default = 1
 
+				if ("pregame_time")
+					config.pregame_time = text2num(value)
+
 				if ("vote_delay")
 					config.vote_delay = text2num(value)
 
diff --git a/code/game/gamemodes/gameticker.dm b/code/game/gamemodes/gameticker.dm
index 73399e72690..3444372838f 100644
--- a/code/game/gamemodes/gameticker.dm
+++ b/code/game/gamemodes/gameticker.dm
@@ -48,8 +48,9 @@ var/global/datum/controller/gameticker/ticker
 
 	send2mainirc("Server lobby is loaded and open at byond://[config.serverurl ? config.serverurl : (config.server ? config.server : "[world.address]:[world.port]")]")
 
+	pregame_timeleft = config.pregame_time
+
 	do
-		pregame_timeleft = 180
 		to_chat(world, "<B><FONT color='blue'>Welcome to the pregame lobby!</FONT></B>")
 		to_chat(world, "Please set up your character and select ready. The round will start in [pregame_timeleft] seconds.")
 		while(current_state == GAME_STATE_PREGAME)
diff --git a/config/example/config.txt b/config/example/config.txt
index f9be5fc872e..018cd9e364b 100644
--- a/config/example/config.txt
+++ b/config/example/config.txt
@@ -163,6 +163,9 @@ ALLOW_VOTE_RESTART
 ## allow players to initate a mode-change start
 ALLOW_VOTE_MODE
 
+## time in pregame lobby in seconds
+PREGAME_TIME 180
+
 ## min delay (deciseconds) between voting sessions (default 10 minutes)
 VOTE_DELAY 6000