diff --git a/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/verbs.dm b/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/verbs.dm
index 9eec4c46461..2ac1e57578d 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/verbs.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/dead/observer/verbs.dm
@@ -141,6 +141,9 @@
 		timedifference_text = time2text(mouse_respawn_time * 600 - timedifference,"mm:ss")
 		to_chat(src, "<span class='warning'>You may only spawn again as a mouse more than [mouse_respawn_time] minutes after your death. You have [timedifference_text] left.</span>")
 		return
+	if(!world.has_round_started())
+		to_chat(src, "<span class='warning'>The game has not started yet.</span>")
+		return
 
 	var/response = alert(src, "Are you -sure- you want to become a mouse?","Are you sure you want to squeek?","Squeek!","Nope!")
 	if(response != "Squeek!")
@@ -498,6 +501,9 @@
 		timedifference_text = time2text(mouse_respawn_time * 600 - timedifference,"mm:ss")
 		to_chat(src, "<span class='warning'>You may only spawn again as a mouse or MoMMI more than [mouse_respawn_time] minutes after your death. You have [timedifference_text] left.</span>")
 		return
+	if(!world.has_round_started())
+		to_chat(src, "<span class='warning'>The game has not started yet.</span>")
+		return
 
 	//find a viable mouse candidate
 	var/list/found_spawners = list()