diff --git a/core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/LodQuadTree.java b/core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/LodQuadTree.java
index 275dfd660..4aa0b7972 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/LodQuadTree.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/LodQuadTree.java
@@ -254,17 +254,21 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements AutoClose
 			// wait for the parent to disable before enabling this section, so we don't overdraw/overlap render sections
 			if (!parentRenderSectionIsEnabled && renderSection.canRenderNow())
 			{
-				renderSection.enableRendering();
-
-				// delete/disable children, all of them will be a lower detail level than requested
-				quadNode.deleteAllChildren((childRenderSection) ->
+				// if rendering is already enabled we don't have to re-enable it
+				if (!renderSection.isRenderingEnabled())
 				{
-					if (childRenderSection != null)
+					renderSection.enableRendering();
+					
+					// delete/disable children, all of them will be a lower detail level than requested
+					quadNode.deleteAllChildren((childRenderSection) ->
 					{
-						childRenderSection.disableRendering();
-						childRenderSection.disposeRenderData();
-					}
-				});
+						if (childRenderSection != null)
+						{
+							childRenderSection.disableRendering();
+							childRenderSection.disposeRenderData();
+						}
+					});
+				}
 			}
 			return renderSection.canRenderNow();
 		}
diff --git a/core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/LodRenderSection.java b/core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/LodRenderSection.java
index 45ec19aa6..a5c05de82 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/LodRenderSection.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/LodRenderSection.java
@@ -104,6 +104,19 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable
 	
 	public void enableRendering() 
 	{
+		// FIXME this is a temporary fix for sections not building the first time,
+		//  this may cause LODs to flash when first loading
+		//  Problem reproduction steps:
+		//  1. connect to a multiplayer server
+		//  2. enter spectator
+		//  3. fly in one direction until section detail levels 7 and 8 appear
+		//  4. empty LODs should appear
+		if (!this.isRenderingEnabled)
+		{
+			// this only needs to be called when first enabling the section
+			this.markBufferDirty();
+		}
+		
 		this.isRenderingEnabled = true;
 	}
 	public void disableRendering() { this.isRenderingEnabled = false; }