diff --git a/src/network/network.cpp b/src/network/network.cpp
index 156859a403..662f49d176 100644
--- a/src/network/network.cpp
+++ b/src/network/network.cpp
@@ -711,7 +711,7 @@ static void NetworkInitGameInfo()
 	/* There should be always space for the server. */
 	assert(NetworkClientInfo::CanAllocateItem());
 	NetworkClientInfo *ci = new NetworkClientInfo(CLIENT_ID_SERVER);
-	ci->client_playas = _network_dedicated ? COMPANY_SPECTATOR : _local_company;
+	ci->client_playas = _network_dedicated ? COMPANY_SPECTATOR : COMPANY_FIRST;
 
 	strecpy(ci->client_name, _settings_client.network.client_name, lastof(ci->client_name));
 }