diff --git a/src/action/a_items.c b/src/action/a_items.c
index 3a53f3c66..f15cdac3c 100644
--- a/src/action/a_items.c
+++ b/src/action/a_items.c
@@ -133,6 +133,8 @@ void SpecThink(edict_t * spec)
 	G_FreeEdict(spec);
 }
 
+// This function determines how long the special item will last until despawned
+// The weapon version of this is SpecialWeaponRespawnTimer
 static void MakeTouchSpecThink(edict_t * ent)
 {
 	ent->touch = Touch_Item;
@@ -150,7 +152,12 @@ static void MakeTouchSpecThink(edict_t * ent)
 	}
 
 	if (gameSettings & GS_WEAPONCHOOSE) {
-		ent->nextthink = eztimer(6);
+		if (bot_enable->value && bot_connections.total_bots > 0) {
+			// Reduce time that items stick around if bots are loaded
+			ent->nextthink = eztimer(2);
+		} else {
+			ent->nextthink = eztimer(6);
+		}
 		ent->think = G_FreeEdict;
 		return;
 	}
diff --git a/src/action/p_weapon.c b/src/action/p_weapon.c
index 183e4fa53..5f304a136 100644
--- a/src/action/p_weapon.c
+++ b/src/action/p_weapon.c
@@ -715,9 +715,14 @@ void SpecialWeaponRespawnTimer(edict_t* ent)
 		ent->think = PlaceHolder;
 		return;
 	}
-	// Deathmatch with weapon choose, weapons disappear in 6s
+	// Deathmatch with weapon choose, weapons disappear in 6s (w/bots, 2 seconds)
 	if (gameSettings & GS_WEAPONCHOOSE) {
-		ent->nextthink = eztimer(6);
+		if (bot_enable->value && bot_connections.total_bots > 0) {
+			// Reduce time that items stick around if bots are loaded
+			ent->nextthink = eztimer(2);
+		} else {
+			ent->nextthink = eztimer(6);
+		}
 		ent->think = ThinkSpecWeap;
 		return;
 	}