diff --git a/src/play_controller.cpp b/src/play_controller.cpp
index cd35e2ff4b98..ce10c5047a8f 100644
--- a/src/play_controller.cpp
+++ b/src/play_controller.cpp
@@ -176,6 +176,8 @@ play_controller::play_controller(const config& level, saved_game& state_of_game,
 
 	persist_.start_transaction();
 
+	join();
+
 	game_config::add_color_info(level);
 	hotkey::deactivate_all_scopes();
 	hotkey::set_scope_active(hotkey::SCOPE_GAME);