diff --git a/code/modules/mob/dead/new_player/login.dm b/code/modules/mob/dead/new_player/login.dm
index e35f162723..b88d8104f2 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/dead/new_player/login.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/dead/new_player/login.dm
@@ -29,4 +29,10 @@
 	new_player_panel()
 	client.playtitlemusic()
 	if(SSticker.current_state < GAME_STATE_SETTING_UP)
-		to_chat(src, "Please set up your character and select \"Ready\". The game will start in about [round(SSticker.GetTimeLeft(), 1)/10] seconds.")
+		var/tl = round(SSticker.GetTimeLeft(), 1)/10
+		var/postfix
+		if(tl >= 0)
+			postfix = "in about [tl] seconds"
+		else
+			postfix = "soon"
+		to_chat(src, "Please set up your character and select \"Ready\". The game will start [postfix].")