diff --git a/wadsrc/static/zscript/games/duke/actors/_placeholders.zs b/wadsrc/static/zscript/games/duke/actors/_placeholders.zs
index be47f71b1..ec2f41765 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/zscript/games/duke/actors/_placeholders.zs
+++ b/wadsrc/static/zscript/games/duke/actors/_placeholders.zs
@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ class DukePlayerBase : DukeActor
 		pic "APLAYER";
 		+DESTRUCTOIMMUNE;
 	}
+
+	override void Initialize(DukeActor spawner)
+	{
+		// do not call the base class here.
+	}
 }
 
 class RedneckMotoHit : DukeActor