diff --git a/messages/en.json b/messages/en.json
index 9fd503e..902a745 100644
--- a/messages/en.json
+++ b/messages/en.json
@@ -532,7 +532,7 @@
     "night_begin": "It is now nighttime. All players check for PMs from me for instructions.",
     "first_night_begin": " If you did not receive one, simply sit back, relax, and wait patiently for morning.",
     "game_mode_not_found": "Mode \u0002{0}\u0002 not found.",
-    "no_game_running": "No game is currently running.",
+    "no_game_running": "No game is currently running. Use \"{0}join\" to start one.",
     "werewolf_already_running": "Werewolf is already in play.",
     "please_wait": "Please wait at least {0} more second{1}.",
     "not_enough_players": "{0}: \u0002{1}\u0002 or more players are required to play.",
diff --git a/src/wolfgame.py b/src/wolfgame.py
index 65a88d5..84ba0bc 100644
--- a/src/wolfgame.py
+++ b/src/wolfgame.py
@@ -7361,7 +7361,7 @@ def expire_start_votes(cli, chan):
         var.START_VOTES = set()
         cli.msg(chan, messages["start_expired"])
 
-@cmd("start", phases=("join",))
+@cmd("start", phases=("none", "join"))
 def start_cmd(cli, nick, chan, rest):
     """Starts a game of Werewolf."""
     start(cli, nick, chan)
@@ -7398,7 +7398,7 @@ def start(cli, nick, chan, forced = False, restart = ""):
 
     if not restart:
         if var.PHASE == "none":
-            cli.notice(nick, messages["no_game_running"])
+            cli.notice(nick, messages["no_game_running"].format(botconfig.CMD_CHAR))
             return
         if var.PHASE != "join":
             cli.notice(nick, messages["werewolf_already_running"])