diff --git a/library/Core.cpp b/library/Core.cpp
index c724a0fcc..222680f62 100644
--- a/library/Core.cpp
+++ b/library/Core.cpp
@@ -1529,6 +1529,7 @@ Core::Core() :
     HotkeyMutex{},
     HotkeyCond{},
     alias_mutex{},
+    started{false},
     misc_data_mutex{},
     CoreSuspendMutex{},
     CoreWakeup{},
@@ -1538,7 +1539,7 @@ Core::Core() :
     // init the console. This must be always the first step!
     plug_mgr = 0;
     errorstate = false;
-    started = false;
+    vinfo = 0;
     memset(&(s_mods), 0, sizeof(s_mods));
 
     // set up hotkey capture
diff --git a/library/include/Core.h b/library/include/Core.h
index 0fec2774d..7c3bc5578 100644
--- a/library/include/Core.h
+++ b/library/include/Core.h
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ namespace DFHack
         df::viewscreen *top_viewscreen;
         bool last_pause_state;
         // Very important!
-        bool started;
+        std::atomic<bool> started;
         // Additional state change scripts
         std::vector<StateChangeScript> state_change_scripts;