diff --git a/evennia/commands/default/system.py b/evennia/commands/default/system.py
index a73a064983..22b0f9da48 100644
--- a/evennia/commands/default/system.py
+++ b/evennia/commands/default/system.py
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class CmdReload(COMMAND_DEFAULT_CLASS):
         reason = ""
         if self.args:
             reason = "(Reason: %s) " % self.args.rstrip(".")
-        SESSIONS.announce_all(" Server restarting %s..." % reason)
+        SESSIONS.announce_all(" Server restart initiated %s..." % reason)
         SESSIONS.server.shutdown(mode='reload')
 
 
diff --git a/evennia/server/amp.py b/evennia/server/amp.py
index ce7c05eefc..edf8cf22ac 100644
--- a/evennia/server/amp.py
+++ b/evennia/server/amp.py
@@ -174,6 +174,7 @@ class AmpClientFactory(protocol.ReconnectingClientFactory):
 
         """
         if hasattr(self, "server_restart_mode"):
+            self.portal.sessions.announce_all(" Server restarting ...")
             self.maxDelay = 2
         else:
             # Don't translate this; avoid loading django on portal side.