diff --git a/src/d_netcmd.c b/src/d_netcmd.c
index 478772ed9..f23549315 100644
--- a/src/d_netcmd.c
+++ b/src/d_netcmd.c
@@ -1569,8 +1569,13 @@ void D_MapChange(INT32 mapnum, INT32 newgametype, boolean pultmode, boolean rese
 		mapchangepending = 0;
 		// spawn the server if needed
 		// reset players if there is a new one
-		if (!(adminplayer == consoleplayer) && SV_SpawnServer())
-			buf[0] &= ~(1<<1);
+		if (!(adminplayer == consoleplayer))
+		{
+			if (SV_SpawnServer())
+				buf[0] &= ~(1<<1);
+			if (!Playing()) // you failed to start a server somehow, so cancel the map change
+				return;
+		}
 
 		// Kick bot from special stages
 		if (botskin)