diff --git a/gamemode/modules/language/sh_language.lua b/gamemode/modules/language/sh_language.lua
index cde8ba0da..b0097cae5 100644
--- a/gamemode/modules/language/sh_language.lua
+++ b/gamemode/modules/language/sh_language.lua
@@ -5,6 +5,15 @@ cvars.AddChangeCallback("gmod_language", function(cv, old, new)
     selectedLanguage = new
 end)
 
+-- Some server owners experience that the language is not set correctly on
+-- startup. This provides a failsafe in case that happens.
+timer.Simple(0, function()
+    local gmodLanguage = GetConVar("gmod_language"):GetString()
+    if gmodLanguage ~= "" and selectedLanguage ~= gmodLanguage then
+        selectedLanguage = gmodLanguage
+    end
+end)
+
 function DarkRP.addLanguage(name, tbl)
     local old = rp_languages[name] or {}
     rp_languages[name] = tbl