diff --git a/baystation12.dme b/baystation12.dme
index 40eca682b33b5..26ddab85b63db 100644
--- a/baystation12.dme
+++ b/baystation12.dme
@@ -1451,6 +1451,7 @@
 #include "code\modules\halo\admin\difficulty.dm"
 #include "code\modules\halo\admin\fleet_spawn.dm"
 #include "code\modules\halo\admin\lore_accurate.dm"
+#include "code\modules\halo\admin\poplock.dm"
 #include "code\modules\halo\admin\radio_message.dm"
 #include "code\modules\halo\admin\ship_load.dm"
 #include "code\modules\halo\admin\spawn_conversion.dm"
diff --git a/code/game/jobs/job/job.dm b/code/game/jobs/job/job.dm
index 52a50a6848b5e..8f261d36becd6 100644
--- a/code/game/jobs/job/job.dm
+++ b/code/game/jobs/job/job.dm
@@ -196,7 +196,9 @@
 		return TRUE
 	poplock_bypassing = 0
 	//is this gamemode trying to balance the faction population?
-	var/num_balancing_factions = ticker.mode ? ticker.mode.faction_balance.len : 0
+	var/num_balancing_factions = 0
+	if(GLOB.popbalance_active && ticker.mode)
+		num_balancing_factions = ticker.mode.faction_balance.len
 	if(ticker.current_state == GAME_STATE_PLAYING && num_balancing_factions >= 2) //Only popbalance if we're actually playing rn.
 		if(Debug2)	to_debug_listeners("Checking gamemode balance for [src.title]...")
 
diff --git a/code/modules/halo/admin/_verbs.dm b/code/modules/halo/admin/_verbs.dm
index 2695c1578cc91..fc299028a3a91 100644
--- a/code/modules/halo/admin/_verbs.dm
+++ b/code/modules/halo/admin/_verbs.dm
@@ -21,4 +21,7 @@
 	admin_verbs_fun.Add(/client/proc/custom_radio_message)
 	admin_verbs_hideable.Add(/client/proc/custom_radio_message)
 
+	admin_verbs_fun.Add(/client/proc/pop_toggle)
+	admin_verbs_hideable.Add(/client/proc/pop_toggle)
+
 	return 1
diff --git a/code/modules/halo/admin/poplock.dm b/code/modules/halo/admin/poplock.dm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..2d6727181c3e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/modules/halo/admin/poplock.dm
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(popbalance_active,1)
+
+/client/proc/pop_toggle()
+	set category = "Fun"
+	set name = "Toggle Popbalance"
+	if(!check_rights(R_FUN))
+		return
+
+	var/message = ""
+	if(GLOB.popbalance_active)
+		message = "Population-based faction balance inactive"
+	else
+		message = "Population-based faction balance active"
+	to_world("<span class = 'danger'>[message]</span>")
+	GLOB.popbalance_active = !GLOB.popbalance_active
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/maps/_gamemodes/_popbalance.dm b/maps/_gamemodes/_popbalance.dm
index 56c0b2d95436f..739e6b5550e12 100644
--- a/maps/_gamemodes/_popbalance.dm
+++ b/maps/_gamemodes/_popbalance.dm
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 //GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(max_overpop, 0.5)		//now a config var
 GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(round_no_balance_time, 0 MINUTES) //Nothing, right now.
 GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(last_admin_notice_overpop, 0)
-GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(min_players_balance, 3)
+GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(min_players_balance, 10)
 
 /datum/game_mode
 	//put the faction types in here that you want to be balanced