diff --git a/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm b/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
index 0e23b99a9cc2..6387fb037cd7 100644
--- a/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
+++ b/code/controllers/subsystem/ticker.dm
@@ -264,6 +264,10 @@ SUBSYSTEM_DEF(ticker)
 		INVOKE_ASYNC(C, TYPE_PROC_REF(/obj/structure/closet, select_gamemode_equipment), mode.type)
 	for(var/obj/structure/machinery/vending/V in machines)
 		INVOKE_ASYNC(V, TYPE_PROC_REF(/obj/structure/machinery/vending, select_gamemode_equipment), mode.type)
+	for(var/obj/structure/machinery/power/apc/apc in machines)
+		if(!is_mainship_level(apc.z))
+			continue
+		addtimer(CALLBACK(apc, TYPE_PROC_REF(/obj/structure/machinery/power/apc, late_activation)), rand(4 SECONDS, 15 SECONDS))
 
 	SEND_GLOBAL_SIGNAL(COMSIG_GLOB_POST_SETUP)
 
diff --git a/code/modules/power/apc.dm b/code/modules/power/apc.dm
index e7a160095705..97a32ba864c1 100644
--- a/code/modules/power/apc.dm
+++ b/code/modules/power/apc.dm
@@ -156,11 +156,18 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(apc_wire_descriptions, list(
 		update_icon()
 		addtimer(CALLBACK(src, PROC_REF(update)), 5)
 
+	if(is_mainship_level(z) && !(SSticker.current_state == GAME_STATE_PLAYING || SSticker.current_state == GAME_STATE_FINISHED))
+		operating = 0
+
 	start_processing()
 
 	if(!start_charge && is_ground_level(z) && prob(10))
 		set_broken()
 
+/obj/structure/machinery/power/apc/proc/late_activation()
+	operating = 1
+	update()
+
 /obj/structure/machinery/power/apc/set_pixel_location()
 	tdir = dir //To fix Vars bug
 	setDir(SOUTH)