diff --git a/src/k_bot.cpp b/src/k_bot.cpp
index 841385f6a..dec6788e7 100644
--- a/src/k_bot.cpp
+++ b/src/k_bot.cpp
@@ -184,6 +184,8 @@ void K_SetBot(UINT8 newplayernum, UINT8 skinnum, UINT8 difficulty, botStyle_e st
 
 	players[newplayernum].prefcolor = color;
 	players[newplayernum].prefskin = skinnum;
+	players[newplayernum].preffollower = -1;
+	players[newplayernum].preffollowercolor = SKINCOLOR_NONE;
 	G_UpdatePlayerPreferences(&players[newplayernum]);
 
 	if (netgame)
diff --git a/src/k_grandprix.c b/src/k_grandprix.c
index ad7d17474..3ffaab7bb 100644
--- a/src/k_grandprix.c
+++ b/src/k_grandprix.c
@@ -795,6 +795,8 @@ void K_RetireBots(void)
 
 			bot->prefskin = skinnum;
 			bot->prefcolor = skins[skinnum].prefcolor;
+			bot->preffollower = -1;
+			bot->preffollowercolor = SKINCOLOR_NONE;
 			G_UpdatePlayerPreferences(bot);
 
 			bot->score = 0;