diff --git a/src/company_cmd.cpp b/src/company_cmd.cpp
--- a/src/company_cmd.cpp
+++ b/src/company_cmd.cpp
@@ -722,10 +722,10 @@ CommandCost CmdCompanyCtrl(TileIndex til
 
 			/* Joining Client:
 			 * _local_company: COMPANY_SPECTATOR
-			 * _network_playas/cid = requested company/clientid
+			 * cid = clientid
 			 *
 			 * Other client(s)/server:
-			 * _local_company/_network_playas: what they play as
+			 * _local_company: what they play as
 			 * cid = requested company/company of joining client */
 			ClientID cid = (ClientID)p2;
 
@@ -744,8 +744,6 @@ CommandCost CmdCompanyCtrl(TileIndex til
 				if (_network_server) {
 					ci->client_playas = COMPANY_SPECTATOR;
 					NetworkUpdateClientInfo(ci->client_id);
-				} else if (_local_company == COMPANY_SPECTATOR) {
-					_network_playas = COMPANY_SPECTATOR;
 				}
 				break;
 			}
diff --git a/src/console_cmds.cpp b/src/console_cmds.cpp
--- a/src/console_cmds.cpp
+++ b/src/console_cmds.cpp
@@ -769,11 +769,6 @@ DEF_CONSOLE_CMD(ConNetworkClients)
 
 DEF_CONSOLE_CMD(ConNetworkConnect)
 {
-	char *ip;
-	const char *port = NULL;
-	const char *company = NULL;
-	uint16 rport;
-
 	if (argc == 0) {
 		IConsoleHelp("Connect to a remote OTTD server and join the game. Usage: 'connect <ip>'");
 		IConsoleHelp("IP can contain port and company: 'IP[[#Company]:Port]', eg: 'server.ottd.org#2:443'");
@@ -784,23 +779,25 @@ DEF_CONSOLE_CMD(ConNetworkConnect)
 	if (argc < 2) return false;
 	if (_networking) NetworkDisconnect(); // we are in network-mode, first close it!
 
-	ip = argv[1];
+	const char *port = NULL;
+	const char *company = NULL;
+	char *ip = argv[1];
 	/* Default settings: default port and new company */
-	rport = NETWORK_DEFAULT_PORT;
-	_network_playas = COMPANY_NEW_COMPANY;
+	uint16 rport = NETWORK_DEFAULT_PORT;
+	CompanyID join_as = COMPANY_NEW_COMPANY;
 
 	ParseConnectionString(&company, &port, ip);
 
 	IConsolePrintF(CC_DEFAULT, "Connecting to %s...", ip);
 	if (company != NULL) {
-		_network_playas = (CompanyID)atoi(company);
-		IConsolePrintF(CC_DEFAULT, "    company-no: %d", _network_playas);
+		join_as = (CompanyID)atoi(company);
+		IConsolePrintF(CC_DEFAULT, "    company-no: %d", join_as);
 
 		/* From a user pov 0 is a new company, internally it's different and all
 		 * companies are offset by one to ease up on users (eg companies 1-8 not 0-7) */
-		if (_network_playas != COMPANY_SPECTATOR) {
-			if (_network_playas > MAX_COMPANIES) return false;
-			_network_playas--;
+		if (join_as != COMPANY_SPECTATOR) {
+			if (join_as > MAX_COMPANIES) return false;
+			join_as--;
 		}
 	}
 	if (port != NULL) {
@@ -808,7 +805,7 @@ DEF_CONSOLE_CMD(ConNetworkConnect)
 		IConsolePrintF(CC_DEFAULT, "    port: %s", port);
 	}
 
-	NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress(ip, rport));
+	NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress(ip, rport), join_as);
 
 	return true;
 }
diff --git a/src/economy.cpp b/src/economy.cpp
--- a/src/economy.cpp
+++ b/src/economy.cpp
@@ -448,7 +448,6 @@ static void ChangeNetworkOwner(Owner cur
 	if (!_networking) return;
 
 	if (current_owner == _local_company) {
-		_network_playas = new_owner;
 		SetLocalCompany(new_owner);
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/network/network.cpp b/src/network/network.cpp
--- a/src/network/network.cpp
+++ b/src/network/network.cpp
@@ -714,7 +714,7 @@ public:
 
 
 /* Used by clients, to connect to a server */
-void NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress address)
+void NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress address, CompanyID join_as)
 {
 	if (!_network_available) return;
 
@@ -722,6 +722,7 @@ void NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAdd
 
 	strecpy(_settings_client.network.last_host, address.GetHostname(), lastof(_settings_client.network.last_host));
 	_settings_client.network.last_port = address.GetPort();
+	_network_join_as = join_as;
 
 	NetworkDisconnect();
 	NetworkInitialize();
@@ -778,9 +779,6 @@ bool NetworkServerStart()
 	_last_sync_frame = 0;
 	_network_own_client_id = CLIENT_ID_SERVER;
 
-	/* Non-dedicated server will always be company #1 */
-	if (!_network_dedicated) _network_playas = COMPANY_FIRST;
-
 	_network_clients_connected = 0;
 
 	NetworkInitGameInfo();
@@ -1126,6 +1124,3 @@ bool IsNetworkCompatibleVersion(const ch
 }
 
 #endif /* ENABLE_NETWORK */
-
-/* NOTE: this variable needs to be always available */
-CompanyID _network_playas;
diff --git a/src/network/network.h b/src/network/network.h
--- a/src/network/network.h
+++ b/src/network/network.h
@@ -33,8 +33,4 @@ static inline void NetworkDrawChatMessag
 #define _is_network_server 0
 
 #endif /* ENABLE_NETWORK */
-
-/** As which company do we play? */
-extern CompanyID _network_playas;
-
 #endif /* NETWORK_H */
diff --git a/src/network/network_client.cpp b/src/network/network_client.cpp
--- a/src/network/network_client.cpp
+++ b/src/network/network_client.cpp
@@ -44,6 +44,9 @@ static uint8 _network_server_max_compani
 /** Maximum number of spectators of the currently joined server. */
 static uint8 _network_server_max_spectators;
 
+/** Who would we like to join as. */
+CompanyID _network_join_as;
+
 /** Make sure the unique ID length is the same as a md5 hash. */
 assert_compile(NETWORK_UNIQUE_ID_LENGTH == 16 * 2 + 1);
 
@@ -135,7 +138,7 @@ DEF_CLIENT_SEND_COMMAND(PACKET_CLIENT_JO
 	p = NetworkSend_Init(PACKET_CLIENT_JOIN);
 	p->Send_string(_openttd_revision);
 	p->Send_string(_settings_client.network.client_name); // Client name
-	p->Send_uint8 (_network_playas);      // PlayAs
+	p->Send_uint8 (_network_join_as);     // PlayAs
 	p->Send_uint8 (NETLANG_ANY);          // Language
 	p->Send_string(_settings_client.network.network_id);
 	MY_CLIENT->Send_Packet(p);
@@ -406,9 +409,6 @@ DEF_CLIENT_RECEIVE_COMMAND(PACKET_SERVER
 
 	if (MY_CLIENT->HasClientQuit()) return NETWORK_RECV_STATUS_CONN_LOST;
 
-	/* Do we receive a change of data? Most likely we changed playas */
-	if (client_id == _network_own_client_id) _network_playas = playas;
-
 	ci = NetworkFindClientInfoFromClientID(client_id);
 	if (ci != NULL) {
 		if (playas == ci->client_playas && strcmp(name, ci->client_name) != 0) {
@@ -620,10 +620,10 @@ DEF_CLIENT_RECEIVE_COMMAND(PACKET_SERVER
 
 		/* New company/spectator (invalid company) or company we want to join is not active
 		 * Switch local company to spectator and await the server's judgement */
-		if (_network_playas == COMPANY_NEW_COMPANY || !Company::IsValidID(_network_playas)) {
+		if (_network_join_as == COMPANY_NEW_COMPANY || !Company::IsValidID(_network_join_as)) {
 			SetLocalCompany(COMPANY_SPECTATOR);
 
-			if (_network_playas != COMPANY_SPECTATOR) {
+			if (_network_join_as != COMPANY_SPECTATOR) {
 				/* We have arrived and ready to start playing; send a command to make a new company;
 				 * the server will give us a client-id and let us in */
 				_network_join_status = NETWORK_JOIN_STATUS_REGISTERING;
@@ -632,7 +632,7 @@ DEF_CLIENT_RECEIVE_COMMAND(PACKET_SERVER
 			}
 		} else {
 			/* take control over an existing company */
-			SetLocalCompany(_network_playas);
+			SetLocalCompany(_network_join_as);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -845,7 +845,6 @@ DEF_CLIENT_RECEIVE_COMMAND(PACKET_SERVER
 	if (!Company::IsValidID(company_id)) company_id = COMPANY_SPECTATOR;
 
 	if (client_id == _network_own_client_id) {
-		_network_playas = company_id;
 		SetLocalCompany(company_id);
 	}
 
diff --git a/src/network/network_client.h b/src/network/network_client.h
--- a/src/network/network_client.h
+++ b/src/network/network_client.h
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ DEF_CLIENT_SEND_COMMAND_PARAM(PACKET_CLI
 NetworkRecvStatus NetworkClient_ReadPackets(NetworkClientSocket *cs);
 void NetworkClient_Connected();
 
+extern CompanyID _network_join_as;
+
 #endif /* ENABLE_NETWORK */
 
 #endif /* NETWORK_CLIENT_H */
diff --git a/src/network/network_func.h b/src/network/network_func.h
--- a/src/network/network_func.h
+++ b/src/network/network_func.h
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ void NetworkStartDebugLog(NetworkAddress
 void NetworkPopulateCompanyStats(NetworkCompanyStats *stats);
 
 void NetworkUpdateClientInfo(ClientID client_id);
-void NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress address);
+void NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress address, CompanyID join_as);
 void NetworkClientRequestMove(CompanyID company, const char *pass = "");
 void NetworkClientSendRcon(const char *password, const char *command);
 void NetworkClientSendChat(NetworkAction action, DestType type, int dest, const char *msg, int64 data = 0);
diff --git a/src/network/network_gui.cpp b/src/network/network_gui.cpp
--- a/src/network/network_gui.cpp
+++ b/src/network/network_gui.cpp
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include "../querystring_gui.h"
 #include "../sortlist_type.h"
 #include "../company_base.h"
+#include "../company_func.h"
 
 #include "table/strings.h"
 #include "../table/sprites.h"
@@ -1534,18 +1535,15 @@ struct NetworkLobbyWindow : public Windo
 
 			case NLWW_JOIN:     // Join company
 				/* Button can be clicked only when it is enabled */
-				_network_playas = this->company;
-				NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress(_settings_client.network.last_host, _settings_client.network.last_port));
+				NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress(_settings_client.network.last_host, _settings_client.network.last_port), this->company);
 				break;
 
 			case NLWW_NEW:      // New company
-				_network_playas = COMPANY_NEW_COMPANY;
-				NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress(_settings_client.network.last_host, _settings_client.network.last_port));
+				NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress(_settings_client.network.last_host, _settings_client.network.last_port), COMPANY_NEW_COMPANY);
 				break;
 
 			case NLWW_SPECTATE: // Spectate game
-				_network_playas = COMPANY_SPECTATOR;
-				NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress(_settings_client.network.last_host, _settings_client.network.last_port));
+				NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress(_settings_client.network.last_host, _settings_client.network.last_port), COMPANY_SPECTATOR);
 				break;
 
 			case NLWW_REFRESH:  // Refresh
@@ -1817,7 +1815,7 @@ struct NetworkClientListPopupWindow : Wi
 
 		if (_network_own_client_id != ci->client_id) {
 			/* We are no spectator and the company we want to give money to is no spectator and money gifts are allowed */
-			if (Company::IsValidID(_network_playas) && Company::IsValidID(ci->client_playas) && _settings_game.economy.give_money) {
+			if (Company::IsValidID(_local_company) && Company::IsValidID(ci->client_playas) && _settings_game.economy.give_money) {
 				GetString(this->action[i], STR_NETWORK_CLIENTLIST_GIVE_MONEY, lastof(this->action[i]));
 				this->proc[i++] = &ClientList_GiveMoney;
 			}
diff --git a/src/openttd.cpp b/src/openttd.cpp
--- a/src/openttd.cpp
+++ b/src/openttd.cpp
@@ -675,26 +675,24 @@ int ttd_main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		if (network_conn != NULL) {
 			const char *port = NULL;
 			const char *company = NULL;
-			uint16 rport;
-
-			rport = NETWORK_DEFAULT_PORT;
-			_network_playas = COMPANY_NEW_COMPANY;
+			uint16 rport = NETWORK_DEFAULT_PORT;
+			CompanyID join_as = COMPANY_NEW_COMPANY;
 
 			ParseConnectionString(&company, &port, network_conn);
 
 			if (company != NULL) {
-				_network_playas = (CompanyID)atoi(company);
+				join_as = (CompanyID)atoi(company);
 
-				if (_network_playas != COMPANY_SPECTATOR) {
-					_network_playas--;
-					if (_network_playas >= MAX_COMPANIES) return false;
+				if (join_as != COMPANY_SPECTATOR) {
+					join_as--;
+					if (join_as >= MAX_COMPANIES) return false;
 				}
 			}
 			if (port != NULL) rport = atoi(port);
 
 			LoadIntroGame();
 			_switch_mode = SM_NONE;
-			NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress(network_conn, rport));
+			NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress(network_conn, rport), join_as);
 		}
 	}
 #endif /* ENABLE_NETWORK */
@@ -1197,8 +1195,7 @@ void GameLoop()
 		if (_network_reconnect > 0 && --_network_reconnect == 0) {
 			/* This means that we want to reconnect to the last host
 			 * We do this here, because it means that the network is really closed */
-			_network_playas = COMPANY_SPECTATOR;
-			NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress(_settings_client.network.last_host, _settings_client.network.last_port));
+			NetworkClientConnectGame(NetworkAddress(_settings_client.network.last_host, _settings_client.network.last_port), COMPANY_SPECTATOR);
 		}
 		/* Singleplayer */
 		StateGameLoop();
diff --git a/src/video/dedicated_v.cpp b/src/video/dedicated_v.cpp
--- a/src/video/dedicated_v.cpp
+++ b/src/video/dedicated_v.cpp
@@ -255,7 +255,6 @@ void VideoDriver_Dedicated::MainLoop()
 	/* Load the dedicated server stuff */
 	_is_network_server = true;
 	_network_dedicated = true;
-	_network_playas = COMPANY_SPECTATOR;
 	_local_company = COMPANY_SPECTATOR;
 
 	/* If SwitchMode is SM_LOAD, it means that the user used the '-g' options */