diff --git a/src/p_mobj.c b/src/p_mobj.c
index 663382dd4..7810636e1 100644
--- a/src/p_mobj.c
+++ b/src/p_mobj.c
@@ -10465,7 +10465,8 @@ void P_SpawnPlayer(INT32 playernum)
 			p->skincolor = skincolor_blueteam;
 	}
 
-	p->powers[pw_flashing] = K_GetKartFlashing(p); // Babysitting deterrent
+	if (leveltime >= introtime)
+		p->powers[pw_flashing] = K_GetKartFlashing(p); // Babysitting deterrent
 
 	mobj = P_SpawnMobj(0, 0, 0, MT_PLAYER);
 	(mobj->player = p)->mo = mobj;
diff --git a/src/p_user.c b/src/p_user.c
index e1d6838b5..790cf9031 100644
--- a/src/p_user.c
+++ b/src/p_user.c
@@ -4592,8 +4592,7 @@ void P_PlayerThink(player_t *player)
 		|| player->kartstuff[k_growshrinktimer] > 0 // Grow doesn't flash either.
 		|| (player->respawn.state != RESPAWNST_NONE) // Respawn timer (for drop dash effect)
 		|| (player->pflags & PF_GAMETYPEOVER) // NO CONTEST explosion
-		|| ((gametyperules & GTR_BUMPERS) && player->bumpers <= 0 && player->karmadelay)
-		|| leveltime < starttime)) // Level intro
+		|| ((gametyperules & GTR_BUMPERS) && player->bumpers <= 0 && player->karmadelay)))
 	{
 		if (player->powers[pw_flashing] > 0 && player->powers[pw_flashing] < K_GetKartFlashing(player)
 			&& (leveltime & 1))