diff --git a/code/game/g_catch.c b/code/game/g_catch.c
index 063ec6ded..a46e786ca 100644
--- a/code/game/g_catch.c
+++ b/code/game/g_catch.c
@@ -135,6 +135,10 @@ gentity_t *G_DropKillerDucks(gentity_t *ent) {
 		Com_Error(ERR_DROP, "Failed to drop the KillerDuck");
 	}
 
+	// wait a bit before we send a warning for not being able to pick up
+	// the killerducks that fast again - see PICKUP_KILLERDUCKS_NOT_YET_AGAIN
+	// and the handling in Touch_Item()
+	client->lastWarningMessageTime = level.time;
 	// don't allow to re-collect for 5 seconds
 	// see BG_CanItemBeGrabbed()
 	killerDucks->s.otherEntityNum = ent->s.number;
diff --git a/code/game/g_items.c b/code/game/g_items.c
index 246d4461b..10acb209e 100644
--- a/code/game/g_items.c
+++ b/code/game/g_items.c
@@ -450,9 +450,9 @@ void Touch_Item(gentity_t *ent, gentity_t *other, trace_t *trace) {
 	result = BG_CanItemBeGrabbed(g_gametype.integer, &ent->s, &other->client->ps, level.time);
 	if (result != PICKUP_OK) {
 		if (result == PICKUP_KILLERDUCKS_NOT_YET_AGAIN) {
-			if ((level.time - other->client->lastWarningMessageTime) > 5000) {
+			if ((level.time - other->client->lastWarningMessageTime) > 2000) {
 				trap_SendServerCommand(other->s.clientNum, "cp \"You can't pick up the KillerDuck for a while!\n\"");
-				other->client->lastWarningMessageTime = level.time;
+				other->client->lastWarningMessageTime = level.time + 2000;
 			}
 		}
 		return;