diff --git a/src/d_main.cpp b/src/d_main.cpp
index c5b77942e7..c5e83cf58c 100644
--- a/src/d_main.cpp
+++ b/src/d_main.cpp
@@ -580,6 +580,7 @@ CVAR(Flag, sv_nolocaldrops, dmflags3, DF3_NO_LOCAL_DROPS);
 CVAR(Flag, sv_nocoopitems, dmflags3, DF3_NO_COOP_ONLY_ITEMS);
 CVAR(Flag, sv_nocoopthings, dmflags3, DF3_NO_COOP_ONLY_THINGS);
 CVAR(Flag, sv_rememberlastweapon, dmflags3, DF3_REMEMBER_LAST_WEAP);
+CVAR(Flag, sv_pistolstart, dmflags3, DF3_PISTOL_START);
 
 //==========================================================================
 //
diff --git a/src/doomdef.h b/src/doomdef.h
index 70759a406d..98fa88d939 100644
--- a/src/doomdef.h
+++ b/src/doomdef.h
@@ -186,6 +186,7 @@ enum : unsigned
 	DF3_NO_COOP_ONLY_ITEMS	= 1 << 4,	// Items that only appear in co-op are disabled
 	DF3_NO_COOP_ONLY_THINGS	= 1 << 5,	// Any Actor that only appears in co-op is disabled
 	DF3_REMEMBER_LAST_WEAP	= 1 << 6,	// When respawning in co-op, keep the last used weapon out instead of switching to the best new one.
+	DF3_PISTOL_START		= 1 << 7,	// Take player inventory when exiting to the next level.
 };
 
 // [RH] Compatibility flags.
diff --git a/src/g_level.cpp b/src/g_level.cpp
index 386df8d093..4fcef5f753 100644
--- a/src/g_level.cpp
+++ b/src/g_level.cpp
@@ -776,11 +776,12 @@ void FLevelLocals::ChangeLevel(const char *levelname, int position, int inflags,
 	{
 		if (thiscluster != nextcluster || (thiscluster && !(thiscluster->flags & CLUSTER_HUB)))
 		{
-			if (nextinfo->flags2 & LEVEL2_RESETINVENTORY)
+			const bool doReset = dmflags3 & DF3_PISTOL_START;
+			if (doReset || (nextinfo->flags2 & LEVEL2_RESETINVENTORY))
 			{
 				inflags |= CHANGELEVEL_RESETINVENTORY;
 			}
-			if (nextinfo->flags2 & LEVEL2_RESETHEALTH)
+			if (doReset || (nextinfo->flags2 & LEVEL2_RESETHEALTH))
 			{
 				inflags |= CHANGELEVEL_RESETHEALTH;
 			}
diff --git a/wadsrc/static/menudef.txt b/wadsrc/static/menudef.txt
index ed0d727c5f..7c8359cd5e 100644
--- a/wadsrc/static/menudef.txt
+++ b/wadsrc/static/menudef.txt
@@ -1630,6 +1630,7 @@ OptionMenu GameplayOptions protected
 	StaticText " "
 	Option "$GMPLYMNU_SMARTAUTOAIM",			"sv_smartaim", "SmartAim"
 	StaticText " "
+	Option "$GMPLYMNU_PISTOLSTART",				"sv_pistolstart", "YesNo"
 	Option "$GMPLYMNU_FALLINGDAMAGE",			"sv_fallingdamage", "FallingDM"
 	Option "$GMPLYMNU_DROPWEAPON",				"sv_weapondrop", "YesNo"
 	Option "$GMPLYMNU_DOUBLEAMMO",				"sv_doubleammo", "YesNo"