diff --git a/scenes/main.gd b/scenes/main.gd
index af4eca5..0f16cf4 100644
--- a/scenes/main.gd
+++ b/scenes/main.gd
@@ -1474,13 +1474,23 @@ func sync_player_goals(player_id: int, goals: Array):
 		call_deferred("_deferred_set_player_goals", player_id, goals)
 
 func _deferred_set_player_goals(player_id: int, goals: Array):
-	# Reduce delay to 0.05s for snappier updates (just enough to ensure nodes are in tree)
-	if not get_node_or_null(str(player_id)):
-		await get_tree().create_timer(0.1).timeout
-		
+	# The player node waits 0.5s in its _ready() function before initializing managers.
+	# We MUST cleanly wait until it finishes creating them, instead of silently aborting.
 	var player = get_node_or_null(str(player_id))
+	
+	# Wait until player and its race_manager thoroughly exist
+	var wait_limit = 2.0 # Safety limit
+	var waited = 0.0
+	while (not player or not player.race_manager) and waited < wait_limit:
+		await get_tree().create_timer(0.1).timeout
+		waited += 0.1
+		player = get_node_or_null(str(player_id))
+		
 	if player and player.race_manager:
 		player.goals = goals.duplicate()
+		# UI UPDATE FIX: explicitly refresh local UI upon receiving starting goals
+		if player_id == multiplayer.get_unique_id() and GameStateManager.local_player_character:
+			ui_manager.update_playerboard_ui()
 
 
 @rpc("any_peer", "call_local")