diff --git a/game_root.cpp b/game_root.cpp
index 94bae3f..2c4015d 100644
--- a/game_root.cpp
+++ b/game_root.cpp
@@ -171,13 +171,15 @@ void GameRoot3D::set_game_mode(Ref<GameMode> prototype) {
     // .. except for the game state, which should be cloned as well
     this->game_mode->set_game_state(prototype->get_game_state()->duplicate(false));
     this->game_mode->_begin();
-    uint32_t new_player_id = this->find_empty_player_slot();
-    do {
-        IPlayer *player = this->spawn_player(new_player_id);
-        if(player != nullptr)
-            this->initialize_player(player, new_player_id);
-        new_player_id = this->find_empty_player_slot();
-    } while(new_player_id != 0);
+    if(this->game_mode->get_player_scene().is_valid()) {
+        uint32_t new_player_id = this->find_empty_player_slot();
+        do {
+            IPlayer *player = this->spawn_player(new_player_id);
+            if(player != nullptr)
+                this->initialize_player(player, new_player_id);
+            new_player_id = this->find_empty_player_slot();
+        } while(new_player_id != 0);
+    }
 }
 
 Ref<GameMode> GameRoot3D::get_game_mode() const {