diff --git a/src/k_grandprix.c b/src/k_grandprix.c
index f54055598..77bdf723c 100644
--- a/src/k_grandprix.c
+++ b/src/k_grandprix.c
@@ -23,7 +23,8 @@ struct grandprixinfo grandprixinfo;
 
 void K_InitGrandPrixBots(void)
 {
-	const UINT8 defaultbotskin = 9; // eggrobo
+	const char *defaultbotskinname = "eggrobo";
+	SINT8 defaultbotskin = R_SkinAvailable(defaultbotskinname);
 
 	// startingdifficulty: Easy = 3, Normal = 6, Hard = 9
 	const UINT8 startingdifficulty = min(MAXBOTDIFFICULTY, (gamespeed + 1) * 3);
@@ -42,6 +43,12 @@ void K_InitGrandPrixBots(void)
 	UINT8 newplayernum = 0;
 	UINT8 i, j;
 
+	if (defaultbotskin == -1)
+	{
+		// This shouldn't happen, but just in case
+		defaultbotskin = 0;
+	}
+
 	memset(competitors, MAXPLAYERS, sizeof (competitors));
 	memset(botskinlist, defaultbotskin, sizeof (botskinlist));