diff --git a/src/GameLogic/PlugIns/PeriodicTasks/PeriodicTaskBasePlugIn.cs b/src/GameLogic/PlugIns/PeriodicTasks/PeriodicTaskBasePlugIn.cs
index a29eaae..07883a5 100644
--- a/src/GameLogic/PlugIns/PeriodicTasks/PeriodicTaskBasePlugIn.cs
+++ b/src/GameLogic/PlugIns/PeriodicTasks/PeriodicTaskBasePlugIn.cs
@@ -71,9 +71,12 @@ public abstract class PeriodicTaskBasePlugIn<TConfiguration, TState> : IPeriodic
                         return;
                     }
 
-                    if (this.IsPreviousEventStillRunning(state))
+                    // A GM ForceStart (e.g. /starths) bypasses the "previous run still within its TaskDuration"
+                    // guard: the previous event has actually ended, and the admin explicitly wants a new one now.
+                    // (Without this, TaskDuration keeps the state blocked for its full length even after the event
+                    // finished, so a re-start only worked after a server restart.) Scheduled auto-starts still respect it.
+                    if (!this._isStartForced && this.IsPreviousEventStillRunning(state))
                     {
-                        this._isStartForced = false;
                         return;
                     }