diff --git a/network_client.c b/network_client.c
--- a/network_client.c
+++ b/network_client.c
@@ -521,9 +521,8 @@ DEF_CLIENT_RECEIVE_COMMAND(PACKET_SERVER
 			} else {
 				/* We have arrived and ready to start playing; send a command to make a new player;
 				 * the server will give us a client-id and let us in */
-				_local_player = 0;
+				_local_player = PLAYER_SPECTATOR;
 				NetworkSend_Command(0, 0, 0, CMD_PLAYER_CTRL, NULL);
-				_local_player = PLAYER_SPECTATOR;
 			}
 		} else {
 			// take control over an existing company
diff --git a/network_server.c b/network_server.c
--- a/network_server.c
+++ b/network_server.c
@@ -844,6 +844,7 @@ DEF_SERVER_RECEIVE_COMMAND(PACKET_CLIENT
 		}
 
 		// XXX - UGLY! p2 is mis-used to get the client-id in CmdPlayerCtrl
+		cp->player = 0;
 		cp->p2 = cs - _clients;
 	}