diff --git a/level/scripts/level.gd b/level/scripts/level.gd
index 361429b..267a95d 100644
--- a/level/scripts/level.gd
+++ b/level/scripts/level.gd
@@ -179,7 +179,10 @@ func _add_player(id: int, player_info : Dictionary):
 	players_container.add_child(player, true)
 
 	var nick = Network.players[id]["nick"]
-	player.nickname.text = nick
+	# Access nickname directly via node path since @onready hasn't loaded yet
+	var nickname_label = player.get_node_or_null("PlayerNick/Nickname")
+	if nickname_label:
+		nickname_label.text = nick
 	# player.rpc("change_nick", nick)
 
 	# Set up HUD for local player