diff --git a/examples/multiplayer-fps/scripts/player-spawner.gd b/examples/multiplayer-fps/scripts/player-spawner.gd
index a50d19d..d247d6c 100644
--- a/examples/multiplayer-fps/scripts/player-spawner.gd
+++ b/examples/multiplayer-fps/scripts/player-spawner.gd
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@ extends Node
 
 @export var player_scene: PackedScene
 
+## Whether to spawn an avatar for the host (peer 1) when on_server_start fires.
+## Set to false for dedicated server operation.
+@export var spawn_host_avatar: bool = true
+
 var t_spawn_points: Array[Marker3D] = []
 var ct_spawn_points: Array[Marker3D] = []
 var team_manager: TeamManager
@@ -43,12 +47,20 @@ func _handle_connected(id: int):
 	_spawn(id)
 
 func _handle_host():
+	if not spawn_host_avatar:
+		print("[PlayerSpawner] Dedicated server mode — skipping host avatar")
+		if round_manager:
+			round_manager.start_match()
+		return
 	_spawn(1)
 	# Auto-start match
 	if round_manager:
 		round_manager.start_match()
 
 func _handle_new_peer(id: int):
+	if id == 1 and not spawn_host_avatar:
+		print("[PlayerSpawner] Skipping spawn for peer 1 (dedicated server)")
+		return
 	_spawn(id)
 	if multiplayer.is_server():
 		team_manager.sync_to_peer(id)
diff --git a/run_server.sh b/run_server.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70358a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/run_server.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+cd /home/oplabs/tactical-shooter
+exec ~/.local/bin/godot --headless --scene res://scenes/headless_server.tscn -- --port 34201 --rcon-password test123 > /tmp/server_output.log 2>&1
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/scripts/headless_server.gd b/scripts/headless_server.gd
index ad65710..fee8c8c 100644
--- a/scripts/headless_server.gd
+++ b/scripts/headless_server.gd
@@ -55,6 +55,14 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	# Start RCON admin console
 	_start_rcon()
 
+	# Set dedicated server flag on the player spawner to prevent
+	# spawning a host avatar (peer 1) that would cause rollback errors.
+	# Must be set before the ENet server starts (before on_server_start fires).
+	var spawner = _game_scene.get_node_or_null("Network/Player Spawner")
+	if spawner:
+		spawner.spawn_host_avatar = false
+		print("[HeadlessServer] Set spawn_host_avatar=false on PlayerSpawner")
+
 	# Wait for game scene to enter the tree
 	await get_tree().process_frame
 	await get_tree().process_frame