diff --git a/src/openttd.h b/src/openttd.h
--- a/src/openttd.h
+++ b/src/openttd.h
@@ -212,6 +212,11 @@ enum TownLayout {
 	NUM_TLS,             ///< Number of town layouts
 };
 
+/* It needs to be 8bits, because we save and load it as such */
+/** Define basic enum properties */
+template <> struct EnumPropsT<TownLayout> : MakeEnumPropsT<TownLayout, byte, TL_NO_ROADS, NUM_TLS, NUM_TLS> {};
+typedef TinyEnumT<TownLayout> TownLayoutByte; //typedefing-enumification of TownLayout
+
 enum {
 	NUM_PRICES = 49,
 };
diff --git a/src/variables.h b/src/variables.h
--- a/src/variables.h
+++ b/src/variables.h
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ struct Patches {
 
 	bool pause_on_newgame;   ///< Whether to start new games paused or not.
 
-	TownLayout town_layout;  ///< Select town layout
+	TownLayoutByte town_layout;  ///< Select town layout
 };
 
 VARDEF Patches _patches;