diff --git a/src/misc.cpp b/src/misc.cpp
--- a/src/misc.cpp
+++ b/src/misc.cpp
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ void InitializeGame(int mode, uint size_
 	_cur_tileloop_tile = 0;
 
 	if ((mode & IG_DATE_RESET) == IG_DATE_RESET) {
-		SetDate(ConvertYMDToDate(_patches.starting_year, 0, 1));
+		SetDate(ConvertYMDToDate(_settings.game_creation.starting_year, 0, 1));
 		InitializeOldNames();
 	}