diff --git a/zone/main.cpp b/zone/main.cpp
index b947d87c4..ff68fd010 100644
--- a/zone/main.cpp
+++ b/zone/main.cpp
@@ -599,7 +599,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 
 		if (worldserver.Connected()) {
 			worldwasconnected = true;
-			worldserver.Process();
 		}
 		else {
 			if (worldwasconnected && is_zone_loaded) {
diff --git a/zone/worldserver.cpp b/zone/worldserver.cpp
index 45889b380..9c0950b47 100644
--- a/zone/worldserver.cpp
+++ b/zone/worldserver.cpp
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ WorldServer::WorldServer()
 	cur_groupid = 0;
 	last_groupid = 0;
 	oocmuted = false;
+	m_process_timer = std::make_unique<EQ::Timer>(1000, true, std::bind(&WorldServer::Process, this));
 }
 
 WorldServer::~WorldServer() {
diff --git a/zone/worldserver.h b/zone/worldserver.h
index 2e92169a5..d54731758 100644
--- a/zone/worldserver.h
+++ b/zone/worldserver.h
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ private:
 	ZoneEventScheduler *m_zone_scheduler;
 
 	// server reload queue
+	std::unique_ptr<EQ::Timer>           m_process_timer;
 	std::mutex                           m_reload_mutex   = {};
 	std::map<int, ServerReload::Request> m_reload_queue   = {};
 public: