diff --git a/stepmania/src/Transition.cpp b/stepmania/src/Transition.cpp
index 0da3539347..088d740f38 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/Transition.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/Transition.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,15 @@
 #include "RageFile.h"
 
 
+/*
+ * XXX: We send OnCommand on load, then we send no updates until we get
+ * StartTransitioning.  Historically, this was fine, but it's incorrect now
+ * that commands can have arbitrary side-effects.  We should only send OnCommand
+ * when we get StartTransitioning, but we need to run it early to set m_fLengthSeconds.
+ * Eventually, phase out GetLengthSeconds (ScreenGameplay is somewhat tricky).  For
+ * now, play a "StartTransitioning" command; put anything that has side-effects in
+ * there, instead.
+ */
 Transition::Transition()
 {
 	m_State = waiting;
@@ -94,6 +103,7 @@ void Transition::StartTransitioning( ScreenMessage send_when_done )
 {
 	if( m_State != waiting )
 		return;	// ignore
+	m_sprTransition->PlayCommand( "StartTransitioning" );
 
 	m_MessageToSendWhenDone = send_when_done;
 	m_State = transitioning;