diff --git a/src/d_main.c b/src/d_main.c
index 80907a013..274e4ceb3 100644
--- a/src/d_main.c
+++ b/src/d_main.c
@@ -1614,6 +1614,9 @@ void D_SRB2Main(void)
 	if (D_CheckNetGame())
 		autostart = true;
 
+	if (!dedicated)
+		pickedchar = R_SkinAvailable(cv_defaultskin.string);
+
 	// check for a driver that wants intermission stats
 	// start the apropriate game based on parms
 	if (M_CheckParm("-metal"))
@@ -1627,8 +1630,6 @@ void D_SRB2Main(void)
 		autostart = true;
 	}
 
-	pickedchar = R_SkinAvailable(cv_defaultskin.string);
-
 	// user settings come before "+" parameters.
 	if (dedicated)
 		COM_ImmedExecute(va("exec \"%s"PATHSEP"adedserv.cfg\"\n", srb2home));
diff --git a/src/g_demo.c b/src/g_demo.c
index cb168dfd9..7026c3391 100644
--- a/src/g_demo.c
+++ b/src/g_demo.c
@@ -1492,8 +1492,9 @@ void G_BeginRecording(void)
 	demo_p += 16;
 
 	// Skin
-	for (i = 0; i < 16 && cv_skin.string[i]; i++)
-		name[i] = cv_skin.string[i];
+	const char *skinname = skins[players[0].skin].name;
+	for (i = 0; i < 16 && skinname[i]; i++)
+		name[i] = skinname[i];
 	for (; i < 16; i++)
 		name[i] = '\0';
 	M_Memcpy(demo_p,name,16);