diff --git a/src/thingdef/thingdef_codeptr.cpp b/src/thingdef/thingdef_codeptr.cpp
index d09ad6d6ef..377c4915b3 100644
--- a/src/thingdef/thingdef_codeptr.cpp
+++ b/src/thingdef/thingdef_codeptr.cpp
@@ -5764,6 +5764,25 @@ DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION_PARAMS(AActor, A_JumpIfHigherOrLower)
 		ACTION_JUMP(low);
 }
 
+//===========================================================================
+// A_SetSpecies(str species, ptr)
+//
+// Sets the species of the calling actor('s pointer).
+//===========================================================================
+DEFINE_ACTION_FUNCTION_PARAMS(AActor, A_SetSpecies)
+{
+	ACTION_PARAM_START(2);
+	ACTION_PARAM_NAME(species, 0);
+	ACTION_PARAM_INT(ptr, 1);
+	AActor *mobj = COPY_AAPTR(self, ptr);
+	if (!mobj)
+	{
+		ACTION_SET_RESULT(false);
+		return;
+	}
+
+	mobj->Species = species;
+}
 
 //===========================================================================
 //
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/actors/actor.txt b/wadsrc/static/actors/actor.txt
index 6885ad2d6d..5e79d6b829 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/actors/actor.txt
+++ b/wadsrc/static/actors/actor.txt
@@ -331,6 +331,7 @@ ACTOR Actor native //: Thinker
 	action native A_SetHealth(int health, int ptr = AAPTR_DEFAULT);
 	action native A_ResetHealth(int ptr = AAPTR_DEFAULT);
 	action native A_JumpIfHigherOrLower(state high, state low, float offsethigh = 0, float offsetlow = 0, bool includeHeight = true, int ptr = AAPTR_TARGET);
+	action native A_SetSpecies(name species, int ptr = AAPTR_DEFAULT);
 	action native A_SetRipperLevel(int level);
 	action native A_SetRipMin(int min);
 	action native A_SetRipMax(int max);