diff --git a/src/saveload/company_sl.cpp b/src/saveload/company_sl.cpp
--- a/src/saveload/company_sl.cpp
+++ b/src/saveload/company_sl.cpp
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ static const SaveLoad _company_desc[] = 
 	    SLE_VAR(CompanyProperties, name_1,          SLE_STRINGID),
 	SLE_CONDSTR(CompanyProperties, name,            SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, 0, 84, SL_MAX_VERSION),
 
-	    SLE_VAR(CompanyProperties, president_name_1, SLE_UINT16),
+	    SLE_VAR(CompanyProperties, president_name_1, SLE_STRINGID),
 	    SLE_VAR(CompanyProperties, president_name_2, SLE_UINT32),
 	SLE_CONDSTR(CompanyProperties, president_name,  SLE_STR | SLF_ALLOW_CONTROL, 0, 84, SL_MAX_VERSION),