diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/OnlinePlay/Multiplayer/Spectate/SpectatorPlayerClock.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/OnlinePlay/Multiplayer/Spectate/SpectatorPlayerClock.cs
index 729a120dc1..4e785ad3b1 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/OnlinePlay/Multiplayer/Spectate/SpectatorPlayerClock.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/OnlinePlay/Multiplayer/Spectate/SpectatorPlayerClock.cs
@@ -22,7 +22,24 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.OnlinePlay.Multiplayer.Spectate
 
         public double CurrentTime { get; private set; }
 
-        public bool IsRunning { get; private set; }
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Whether this clock is waiting on frames to continue playback.
+        /// </summary>
+        public Bindable<bool> WaitingOnFrames { get; } = new Bindable<bool>(true);
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Whether this clock is behind the master clock and running at a higher rate to catch up to it.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <remarks>
+        /// Of note, this will be false if this clock is *ahead* of the master clock.
+        /// </remarks>
+        public bool IsCatchingUp { get; set; }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Whether this spectator clock should be running.
+        /// Use instead of <see cref="Start"/> / <see cref="Stop"/> to control time.
+        /// </summary>
+        public bool IsRunning { get; set; }
 
         public SpectatorPlayerClock(GameplayClockContainer masterClock)
         {
@@ -31,24 +48,14 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.OnlinePlay.Multiplayer.Spectate
 
         public void Reset() => CurrentTime = 0;
 
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Starts this <see cref="SpectatorPlayerClock"/>.
-        /// </summary>
-        public void Start() => IsRunning = true;
-
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Stops this <see cref="SpectatorPlayerClock"/>.
-        /// </summary>
-        public void Stop() => IsRunning = false;
-
-        void IAdjustableClock.Start()
+        public void Start()
         {
-            // Our running state should only be managed by an ISyncManager, ignore calls from external sources.
+            // Our running state should only be managed by SpectatorSyncManager via IsRunning.
         }
 
-        void IAdjustableClock.Stop()
+        public void Stop()
         {
-            // Our running state should only be managed by an ISyncManager, ignore calls from external sources.
+            // Our running state should only be managed by an SpectatorSyncManager via IsRunning.
         }
 
         public bool Seek(double position)
@@ -94,18 +101,5 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.OnlinePlay.Multiplayer.Spectate
         public double FramesPerSecond { get; private set; }
 
         public FrameTimeInfo TimeInfo => new FrameTimeInfo { Elapsed = ElapsedFrameTime, Current = CurrentTime };
-
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Whether this clock is waiting on frames to continue playback.
-        /// </summary>
-        public Bindable<bool> WaitingOnFrames { get; } = new Bindable<bool>(true);
-
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Whether this clock is behind the master clock and running at a higher rate to catch up to it.
-        /// </summary>
-        /// <remarks>
-        /// Of note, this will be false if this clock is *ahead* of the master clock.
-        /// </remarks>
-        public bool IsCatchingUp { get; set; }
     }
 }
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/OnlinePlay/Multiplayer/Spectate/SpectatorSyncManager.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/OnlinePlay/Multiplayer/Spectate/SpectatorSyncManager.cs
index aa6fb878b3..7ec8f45b1f 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/OnlinePlay/Multiplayer/Spectate/SpectatorSyncManager.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/OnlinePlay/Multiplayer/Spectate/SpectatorSyncManager.cs
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.OnlinePlay.Multiplayer.Spectate
         public void RemoveManagedClock(SpectatorPlayerClock clock)
         {
             playerClocks.Remove(clock);
-            clock.Stop();
+            clock.IsRunning = false;
         }
 
         protected override void Update()
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.OnlinePlay.Multiplayer.Spectate
             {
                 // Ensure all player clocks are stopped until the start succeeds.
                 foreach (var clock in playerClocks)
-                    clock.Stop();
+                    clock.IsRunning = true;
                 return;
             }
 
@@ -153,15 +153,12 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.OnlinePlay.Multiplayer.Spectate
                     // Importantly, set the clock to a non-catchup state. if this isn't done, updateMasterState may incorrectly pause the master clock
                     // when it is required to be running (ie. if all players are ahead of the master).
                     clock.IsCatchingUp = false;
-                    clock.Stop();
+                    clock.IsRunning = false;
                     continue;
                 }
 
                 // Make sure the player clock is running if it can.
-                if (!clock.WaitingOnFrames.Value)
-                    clock.Start();
-                else
-                    clock.Stop();
+                clock.IsRunning = !clock.WaitingOnFrames.Value;
 
                 if (clock.IsCatchingUp)
                 {