diff --git a/src/k_kart.c b/src/k_kart.c
index e4fb8f19a..c9df7d6d7 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.c
+++ b/src/k_kart.c
@@ -4692,7 +4692,14 @@ void K_CheckpointCrossAward(player_t *player)
 			else
 			{
 				K_AddMessage("Margin Boost!", true, false);
+				S_StartSound(NULL, sfx_duelmb); // Duel announcer call, we only do this on the first margin boost 
 
+				// fade out the song for a bit
+				g_musicfade.start = leveltime;
+				g_musicfade.end = g_musicfade.start + 70;
+				g_musicfade.fade = 6;
+				g_musicfade.ticked = false;
+				
 				// epic lighting
 				g_darkness.start = leveltime;
 				g_darkness.end = INT32_MAX;
@@ -4704,16 +4711,9 @@ void K_CheckpointCrossAward(player_t *player)
 
 			player_t *foeplayer = K_DuelOpponent(player);
 
-			if (!(player->duelscore - foeplayer->duelscore == DUELWINNINGSCORE)) // Avoid playing any margin boost sfx when someone wins
+			if (!(player->duelscore - foeplayer->duelscore == DUELWINNINGSCORE)) // Avoid playing margin boost sfx when someone wins
 			{
 				S_StartSound(NULL, sfx_gsha6); // Gunstar chk-ching noise
-				S_StartSound(NULL, sfx_duelmb); // Duel announcer call
-
-				// fade out the song for a bit
-				g_musicfade.start = leveltime;
-				g_musicfade.end = g_musicfade.start + 53;
-				g_musicfade.fade = 6;
-				g_musicfade.ticked = false;
 			}
 		}