diff --git a/src/k_kart.c b/src/k_kart.c
index 1cbddb76f..d71a74fd7 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.c
+++ b/src/k_kart.c
@@ -10061,7 +10061,7 @@ void K_MoveKartPlayer(player_t *player, boolean onground)
 			player->itemflags &= ~IF_USERINGS;
 	}
 
-	if (player && player->mo && player->mo->health > 0 && !player->spectator && !P_PlayerInPain(player) && player->respawn == 0 && !(player->exiting || mapreset) && leveltime > introtime)
+	if (player && player->mo && player->mo->health > 0 && !player->spectator && !P_PlayerInPain(player) && player->respawn == 0 && !(player->exiting || mapreset))
 	{
 		// First, the really specific, finicky items that function without the item being directly in your item slot.
 		{
diff --git a/src/p_inter.c b/src/p_inter.c
index d9ff7d555..5a816d52f 100644
--- a/src/p_inter.c
+++ b/src/p_inter.c
@@ -2156,6 +2156,12 @@ boolean P_DamageMobj(mobj_t *target, mobj_t *inflictor, mobj_t *source, INT32 da
 		if (player->pflags & PF_GODMODE)
 			return false;
 
+		if (player->exiting)
+		{
+			K_DoInstashield(player);
+			return false;
+		}
+
 		if (!force)
 		{
 			// Player hits another player