diff --git a/backup.sh b/backup.sh
index 42d1187..86891f2 100644
--- a/backup.sh
+++ b/backup.sh
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ docker exec mc mc-send-to-console title $TARGET title '\"\\u00A7cRestarting...\"
 
 curl -m 10 --retry 5 "$PING_URL/start"
 
+docker exec mc mc-send-to-console kick $TARGET '\"Server restarting for backups - please check back shortly.\"'
+
 docker stop mc
 
 OUTPUT_FILE="backup.tar.gz"