diff --git a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Main.cpp b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Main.cpp
index 2b98889086..85b764126a 100644
--- a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Main.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Main.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #include "Core/Boot/Boot.h"
 #include "Core/ConfigManager.h"
 #include "Core/Core.h"
+#include "Core/Slippi/SlippiSpectate.h"
 
 #include "DolphinQt/Host.h"
 #include "DolphinQt/MainWindow.h"
@@ -159,6 +160,11 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
     save_state_path = static_cast<const char*>(options.get("save_state"));
   }
 
+  // for now, only initialize the server for non playback instances
+#ifndef IS_PLAYBACK
+  SlippiSpectateServer::getInstance().endGame();
+#endif
+
   std::unique_ptr<BootParameters> boot;
   bool game_specified = false;
   if (options.is_set("exec"))