diff --git a/S1API.Tests/NPCs/NPCNetworkObjectTests.cs b/S1API.Tests/NPCs/NPCNetworkObjectTests.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2139f687
--- /dev/null
+++ b/S1API.Tests/NPCs/NPCNetworkObjectTests.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+using S1API.Entities;
+
+namespace S1API.Tests.NPCs;
+
+public sealed class NPCNetworkObjectTests
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public void AnNpcCreatedBeforeTheNetworkStartsKeepsItsNetworkObject()
+    {
+        // The Big Pimpin creates its escorts at scene load on the second load of a session, before the server is
+        // up. Removing their NetworkObject then left them bound to @Managers/@NPCs and their spawn failed.
+        Assert.False(NPC.ShouldRemoveNetworkObject(hasNetworkManager: true, isClient: false, isServer: false));
+        Assert.False(NPC.ShouldRemoveNetworkObject(hasNetworkManager: false, isClient: false, isServer: false));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void TheServerAndHostKeepIt()
+    {
+        Assert.False(NPC.ShouldRemoveNetworkObject(hasNetworkManager: true, isClient: false, isServer: true));
+        Assert.False(NPC.ShouldRemoveNetworkObject(hasNetworkManager: true, isClient: true, isServer: true));
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public void AClientOnlyPeerRemovesItBecauseTheServerSpawnsTheNpcToIt()
+    {
+        Assert.True(NPC.ShouldRemoveNetworkObject(hasNetworkManager: true, isClient: true, isServer: false));
+    }
+}
diff --git a/S1API/Entities/NPC.cs b/S1API/Entities/NPC.cs
index bb6befdd..83a79d67 100644
--- a/S1API/Entities/NPC.cs
+++ b/S1API/Entities/NPC.cs
@@ -211,6 +211,14 @@ internal static readonly System.Collections.Generic.HashSet<System.Type>
         
         #region Template Prefab Helpers
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Should a new NPC instance lose its <c>NetworkObject</c>? Only on a client-only peer, which the server spawns
+        /// the NPC to. Before the network starts (a mod creating its NPCs at scene load) it must keep it, or its network
+        /// behaviours bind to the parent's NetworkObject and the later spawn fails.
+        /// </summary>
+        internal static bool ShouldRemoveNetworkObject(bool hasNetworkManager, bool isClient, bool isServer) =>
+            hasNetworkManager && isClient && !isServer;
+
         private static GameObject InstantiateTemplateInstance(System.Type npcType, NPC owner)
         {
             GameObject prefab = GetOrCreatePerNpcPrefab(npcType, owner);
@@ -245,18 +253,16 @@ private static GameObject InstantiateTemplateInstance(System.Type npcType, NPC o
             try
             {
                 var nm = InstanceFinder.NetworkManager;
-                bool isServer = nm != null && nm.IsServer;
                 var existingNo = instance.GetComponent<NetworkObject>();
-                if (isServer)
-                {
-                    if (existingNo == null)
-                        existingNo = instance.AddComponent<NetworkObject>();
-                }
-                else
+                if (ShouldRemoveNetworkObject(nm != null, nm != null && nm.IsClient, nm != null && nm.IsServer))
                 {
                     if (existingNo != null)
                         UnityEngine.Object.Destroy(existingNo);
                 }
+                else if (existingNo == null)
+                {
+                    instance.AddComponent<NetworkObject>();
+                }
             }
             catch { }
             if (S1NPCs.NPCManager.InstanceExists)