diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
index ef796bc439..cfe66421c9 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
@@ -21,7 +21,11 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(ticker)
 	var/list/login_music = null //Music played in pregame lobby
 
 	var/delay_end = FALSE //If set true, the round will not restart on it's own
+#if defined(UNIT_TESTS) //must be FALSE for unit tests else they hang indefinitely
 	var/delay_start = FALSE
+#else
+	var/delay_start = TRUE
+#endif
 	var/admin_delay_notice = "" //A message to display to anyone who tries to restart the world after a delay
 
 	var/time_left //Pre-game timer