diff --git a/Source/Core/Core/HW/EXI/EXI_DeviceSlippi.cpp b/Source/Core/Core/HW/EXI/EXI_DeviceSlippi.cpp
index b5d8db07b0..0b4dd33693 100644
--- a/Source/Core/Core/HW/EXI/EXI_DeviceSlippi.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/Core/HW/EXI/EXI_DeviceSlippi.cpp
@@ -1542,7 +1542,8 @@ void CEXISlippi::handleOnlineInputs(u8* payload)
 
     // Reset character selections as they are no longer needed
     localSelections.Reset();
-    slippi_netplay->StartSlippiGame();
+    if (slippi_netplay)
+      slippi_netplay->StartSlippiGame();
   }
 
   if (isDisconnected())
@@ -1919,13 +1920,13 @@ void CEXISlippi::prepareOnlineMatchState()
 
   u8 localPlayerReady = localSelections.isCharacterSelected;
   u8 remotePlayersReady = 0;
-  u8 localPlayerIndex = matchmaking->LocalPlayerIndex();
-  u8 remotePlayerIndex = 1;
 
   auto userInfo = user->GetUserInfo();
 
   if (mmState == SlippiMatchmaking::ProcessState::CONNECTION_SUCCESS)
   {
+    localPlayerIndex = matchmaking->LocalPlayerIndex();
+
     if (!slippi_netplay)
     {
 #ifdef LOCAL_TESTING
diff --git a/Source/Core/Core/HW/EXI/EXI_DeviceSlippi.h b/Source/Core/Core/HW/EXI/EXI_DeviceSlippi.h
index c8860b9a88..90173c6a06 100644
--- a/Source/Core/Core/HW/EXI/EXI_DeviceSlippi.h
+++ b/Source/Core/Core/HW/EXI/EXI_DeviceSlippi.h
@@ -198,7 +198,6 @@ private:
   void prepareGctLength();
   void prepareGctLoad(u8* payload);
   void prepareDelayResponse();
-  int getCharColor(u8 charId, u8 teamId);
 
   void FileWriteThread(void);
 
@@ -232,6 +231,11 @@ private:
   // Used to determine when to detect when a new session has started
   bool is_play_session_active = false;
 
+  // We put these at the class level to preserve values in the case of a disconnect
+  // while loading. Without this, someone could load into a game playing the wrong char
+  u8 localPlayerIndex = 0;
+  u8 remotePlayerIndex = 1;
+
   // Frame skipping variables
   int framesToSkip = 0;
   bool isCurrentlySkipping = false;
diff --git a/Source/Core/Core/Slippi/SlippiNetplay.h b/Source/Core/Core/Slippi/SlippiNetplay.h
index ffb5eeaad9..27e9e5891a 100644
--- a/Source/Core/Core/Slippi/SlippiNetplay.h
+++ b/Source/Core/Core/Slippi/SlippiNetplay.h
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@
 
 struct SlippiRemotePadOutput
 {
-  int32_t latestFrame;
-  u8 playerIdx;
+  int32_t latestFrame{};
+  u8 playerIdx{};
   std::vector<u8> data;
 };
 
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ protected:
   struct FrameOffsetData
   {
     // TODO: Should the buffer size be dynamic based on time sync interval or not?
-    int idx;
+    int idx{};
     std::vector<s32> buf;
   };