diff --git a/src/f_finale.c b/src/f_finale.c
index be90017f8..64f2a67c2 100644
--- a/src/f_finale.c
+++ b/src/f_finale.c
@@ -3142,6 +3142,7 @@ void F_TextPromptTicker(void)
 boolean F_StartCeremony(void)
 {
 	INT32 podiumMapNum = nummapheaders;
+	INT32 i;
 
 	if (podiummap
 		&& ((podiumMapNum = G_MapNumber(podiummap)) < nummapheaders)
@@ -3153,6 +3154,16 @@ boolean F_StartCeremony(void)
 		maptol = mapheaderinfo[gamemap-1]->typeoflevel;
 		globalweather = mapheaderinfo[gamemap-1]->weather;
 
+		// Make sure all of the GAME OVER'd players can spawn
+		// and be present for the podium
+		for (i = 0; i < MAXPLAYERS; i++)
+		{
+			if (playeringame[i] && !players[i].spectator && !players[i].bot)
+			{
+				players[i].lives = max(1, players[i].lives);
+			}
+		}
+
 		G_DoLoadLevelEx(false, GS_CEREMONY);
 
 		r_splitscreen = 0; // Only one screen for the ceremony