diff --git a/osu.Game.Rulesets.Taiko.Tests/Skinning/TestSceneDrawableTaikoMascot.cs b/osu.Game.Rulesets.Taiko.Tests/Skinning/TestSceneDrawableTaikoMascot.cs
index f74de47425..e23f63e245 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Rulesets.Taiko.Tests/Skinning/TestSceneDrawableTaikoMascot.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Rulesets.Taiko.Tests/Skinning/TestSceneDrawableTaikoMascot.cs
@@ -62,6 +62,14 @@ namespace osu.Game.Rulesets.Taiko.Tests.Skinning
             AddStep("fail state", () => SetContents(() => new TaikoMascotAnimation(TaikoMascotAnimationState.Fail)));
         }
 
+        [Test]
+        public void TestInitialState()
+        {
+            AddStep("create mascot", () => SetContents(() => new DrawableTaikoMascot()));
+
+            AddAssert("mascot initially idle", () => allMascotsIn(TaikoMascotAnimationState.Idle));
+        }
+
         [Test]
         public void TestClearStateTransition()
         {
diff --git a/osu.Game.Rulesets.Taiko/UI/DrawableTaikoMascot.cs b/osu.Game.Rulesets.Taiko/UI/DrawableTaikoMascot.cs
index 2df0cae2e3..1b7d011d8a 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Rulesets.Taiko/UI/DrawableTaikoMascot.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Rulesets.Taiko/UI/DrawableTaikoMascot.cs
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Rulesets.Taiko.UI
         private readonly Dictionary<TaikoMascotAnimationState, TaikoMascotAnimation> animations;
         private TaikoMascotAnimation currentAnimation;
 
-        private bool lastObjectHit;
+        private bool lastObjectHit = true;
         private bool kiaiMode;
 
         public DrawableTaikoMascot(TaikoMascotAnimationState startingState = TaikoMascotAnimationState.Idle)