diff --git a/src/k_kart.c b/src/k_kart.c
index 0a02784e3..70b0424ac 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.c
+++ b/src/k_kart.c
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ void K_TimerInit(void)
 		}
 	}
 
-	if (cv_kartdebugstart.value == 0 || M_NotFreePlay() == false)
+	if (cv_kartdebugstart.value == -1 ? M_NotFreePlay() == false : cv_kartdebugstart.value == 0)
 	{
 		starttime = 0;
 		introtime = 0;