diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/actors.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/actors.cpp
index 210071c1f..a23eb31fd 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/actors.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/actors.cpp
@@ -208,7 +208,6 @@ void clearcamera(player_struct* ps)
 	ps->posz = ps->oposz;
 	ps->angle.restore();
 	updatesector(ps->posx, ps->posy, &ps->cursectnum);
-	setpal(ps);
 
 	DukeStatIterator it(STAT_ACTOR);
 	while (auto k = it.Next())
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/actors_d.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/actors_d.cpp
index 7d2087408..83580fb33 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/actors_d.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/actors_d.cpp
@@ -2150,8 +2150,6 @@ void movetransports_d(void)
 						changespritesect(act2, Owner->s.sectnum);
 						setsprite(ps[p].GetActor(), ps[p].posx, ps[p].posy, ps[p].posz + PHEIGHT);
 						
-						setpal(&ps[p]);
-						
 						if ((krand() & 255) < 32)
 							spawn(act2, WATERSPLASH2);
 						
@@ -2474,7 +2472,6 @@ static void greenslime(DDukeActor *actor)
 			ps[p].angle.restore();
 
 			updatesector(ps[p].posx, ps[p].posy, &ps[p].cursectnum);
-			setpal(&ps[p]);
 
 			DukeStatIterator it(STAT_ACTOR);
 			while (auto ac = it.Next())
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/actors_r.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/actors_r.cpp
index af561f221..86ddadfcf 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/actors_r.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/actors_r.cpp
@@ -1735,8 +1735,6 @@ void movetransports_r(void)
 
 						changespritesect(act2, Owner->s.sectnum);
 
-						setpal(&ps[p]);
-
 						if ((krand() & 255) < 32)
 							spawn(ps[p].GetActor(), WATERSPLASH2);
 					}
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/funct.h b/source/games/duke/src/funct.h
index 2b26c17d2..6212c3aea 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/funct.h
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/funct.h
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ DDukeActor* aim(DDukeActor* s, int aang);
 void checkweapons(struct player_struct* const p);
 int findotherplayer(int p, int* d);
 void quickkill(struct player_struct* p);
-void setpal(struct player_struct* p);
+int setpal(struct player_struct* p);
 int madenoise(int playerNum);
 int haskey(int sect, int snum);
 void shootbloodsplat(DDukeActor* i, int p, int sx, int sy, int sz, int sa, int atwith, int BIGFORCE, int OOZFILTER, int NEWBEAST);
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/game.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/game.cpp
index ea3b5efdd..efbd1425c 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/game.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/game.cpp
@@ -325,7 +325,6 @@ void GameInterface::app_init()
 	registerosdcommands();
 
 	screenpeek = myconnectindex;
-	ps[myconnectindex].palette = BASEPAL;
 
 	for (int j = numplayers; j < ud.multimode; j++)
 	{
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/game_misc.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/game_misc.cpp
index 6c6800982..6e0b78491 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/game_misc.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/game_misc.cpp
@@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ bool GameInterface::DrawAutomapPlayer(int cposx, int cposy, int czoom, int cang)
 			if (j < 22000) j = 22000;
 			else if (j > (65536 << 1)) j = (65536 << 1);
 
-			DrawTexture(twod, tileGetTexture(i), xdim / 2. + x1 / 4096., ydim / 2. + y1 / 4096., DTA_TranslationIndex, TRANSLATION(Translation_Remap + pp.palette, pspr->pal), DTA_CenterOffset, true,
+			DrawTexture(twod, tileGetTexture(i), xdim / 2. + x1 / 4096., ydim / 2. + y1 / 4096., DTA_TranslationIndex, TRANSLATION(Translation_Remap + setpal(&pp), pspr->pal), DTA_CenterOffset, true,
 				DTA_Rotate, daang * (-360./2048), DTA_Color, shadeToLight(pspr->shade), DTA_ScaleX, j / 65536., DTA_ScaleY, j / 65536., TAG_DONE);
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/gameexec.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/gameexec.cpp
index 510f858d0..6de5f7600 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/gameexec.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/gameexec.cpp
@@ -2054,7 +2054,6 @@ int ParseState::parse(void)
 			ps[g_p].posz = ps[g_p].oposz;
 			ps[g_p].angle.restore();
 			updatesector(ps[g_p].posx,ps[g_p].posy,&ps[g_p].cursectnum);
-			setpal(&ps[g_p]);
 
 			DukeStatIterator it(STAT_ACTOR);
 			while (auto j = it.Next())
@@ -2273,7 +2272,6 @@ int ParseState::parse(void)
 			resetinventory(g_p);
 			resetweapons(g_p);
 		}
-		setpal(&ps[g_p]);
 		break;
 	case concmd_ifcoop:
 		parseifelse(ud.coop || numplayers > 2);
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/input.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/input.cpp
index 9fcd6a2f4..dfb074e84 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/input.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/input.cpp
@@ -136,7 +136,6 @@ void hud_input(int plnum)
 			if (GetGameVarID(g_iReturnVarID, nullptr, plnum) == 0 && p->heat_amount > 0)
 			{
 				p->heat_on = !p->heat_on;
-				setpal(p);
 				p->inven_icon = 5;
 				S_PlayActorSound(NITEVISION_ONOFF, pact);
 				FTA(106 + (!p->heat_on), p);
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/player.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/player.cpp
index a840e61e7..a391ea62b 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/player.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/player.cpp
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ void calcviewpitch(player_struct *p, double factor)
 //
 //---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-void setpal(struct player_struct* p)
+int setpal(struct player_struct* p)
 {
 	int palette;
 	if (p->DrugMode) palette = DRUGPAL;
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ void setpal(struct player_struct* p)
 	else if (sector[p->cursectnum].ceilingpicnum >= TILE_FLOORSLIME && sector[p->cursectnum].ceilingpicnum <= TILE_FLOORSLIME + 2) palette = SLIMEPAL;
 	else if (sector[p->cursectnum].lotag == ST_2_UNDERWATER) palette = WATERPAL;
 	else palette = BASEPAL;
-	p->palette = palette;
+	return palette;
 }
 
 //---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/player_d.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/player_d.cpp
index 20ace7832..33ba5b10f 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/player_d.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/player_d.cpp
@@ -1474,7 +1474,6 @@ int doincrements_d(struct player_struct* p)
 			p->heat_on = 0;
 			checkavailinven(p);
 			S_PlayActorSound(NITEVISION_ONOFF, pact);
-			setpal(p);
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/premap.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/premap.cpp
index f19955b37..934283b46 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/premap.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/premap.cpp
@@ -128,7 +128,6 @@ void resetplayerstats(int snum)
     p->random_club_frame= 0;
     p->on_warping_sector = 0;
     p->spritebridge      = 0;
-    p->palette = 0;
 
     if(p->steroids_amount < 400 )
     {
@@ -166,7 +165,6 @@ void resetplayerstats(int snum)
     p->knuckle_incs      = 1;
     p->fist_incs = 0;
     p->knee_incs         = 0;
-    setpal(p);
     p->stairs = 0;
     p->noise_x = 0;
     p->noise_y = 0;
@@ -962,7 +960,6 @@ void enterlevel(MapRecord *mi, int gamemode)
         }
     }
     resetmys();
-    setpal(&ps[myconnectindex]);
 
     everyothertime = 0;
     global_random = 0;
@@ -1063,7 +1060,6 @@ void exitlevel(MapRecord *nextlevel)
 {
     bool endofgame = nextlevel == nullptr;
     STAT_Update(endofgame);
-    setpal(&ps[myconnectindex]);
     StopCommentary();
 
     dobonus(endofgame? -1 : 0, [=](bool)
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/render.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/render.cpp
index ec42f7c5d..20c8d54a7 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/render.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/render.cpp
@@ -323,16 +323,13 @@ void setdrugmode(player_struct *p, int oyrepeat)
 				var_8c = oyrepeat + p->drug_stat[1] * 5000;
 				if (oyrepeat * 3 < var_8c)
 				{
-					renderSetAspect(oyrepeat * 3, yxaspect);
 					p->drug_aspect = oyrepeat * 3;
 					p->drug_stat[0] = 2;
 				}
 				else
 				{
-					renderSetAspect(var_8c, yxaspect);
 					p->drug_aspect = var_8c;
 				}
-				setpal(p);
 			}
 			else if (p->drug_stat[0] == 3)
 			{
@@ -340,7 +337,6 @@ void setdrugmode(player_struct *p, int oyrepeat)
 				var_8c = oyrepeat + p->drug_stat[1] * 5000;
 				if (var_8c < oyrepeat)
 				{
-					renderSetAspect(oyrepeat, yxaspect);
 					p->DrugMode = 0;
 					p->drug_stat[0] = 0;
 					p->drug_stat[2] = 0;
@@ -348,10 +344,8 @@ void setdrugmode(player_struct *p, int oyrepeat)
 				}
 				else
 				{
-					renderSetAspect(var_8c, yxaspect);
 					p->drug_aspect = var_8c;
 				}
-				setpal(p);
 			}
 			else if (p->drug_stat[0] == 2)
 			{
@@ -362,9 +356,7 @@ void setdrugmode(player_struct *p, int oyrepeat)
 				else
 				{
 					p->drug_stat[2]++;
-					renderSetAspect(p->drug_stat[2] * 500 + oyrepeat * 3, yxaspect);
 					p->drug_aspect = oyrepeat * 3 + p->drug_stat[2] * 500;
-					setpal(p);
 				}
 			}
 			else
@@ -379,17 +371,14 @@ void setdrugmode(player_struct *p, int oyrepeat)
 				else
 				{
 					p->drug_stat[2]--;
-					renderSetAspect(p->drug_stat[2] * 500 + oyrepeat * 3, yxaspect);
 					p->drug_aspect = oyrepeat * 3 + p->drug_stat[2] * 500;
-					setpal(p);
 				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	else if (p->DrugMode > 0)
+	if (p->DrugMode > 0)
 	{
 		renderSetAspect(p->drug_aspect, yxaspect);
-		setpal(p);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -514,7 +503,7 @@ void displayrooms(int snum, double smoothratio)
 
 	// The camera texture must be rendered with the base palette, so this is the only place where the current global palette can be set.
 	// The setting here will be carried over to the rendering of the weapon sprites, but other 2D content will always default to the main palette.
-	setgamepalette(p->palette);
+	setgamepalette(setpal(p));
 	if (ud.cameraactor)
 	{
 		spritetype* s;
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/savegame.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/savegame.cpp
index 0cb9cfc67..74a9195dc 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/savegame.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/savegame.cpp
@@ -133,7 +133,6 @@ FSerializer& Serialize(FSerializer& arc, const char* keyname, player_struct& w,
 			("angle", w.angle)
 			("horizon", w.horizon)
 			("gotweapon", w.gotweapon)
-			("palette", w.palette)
 			("pals", w.pals)
 			("fricx", w.fric.x)
 			("fricy", w.fric.y)
@@ -476,7 +475,6 @@ void GameInterface::SerializeGameState(FSerializer& arc)
 				cameraclock = 0;
 				ps[myconnectindex].over_shoulder_on = 1;
 			}
-			setpal(&ps[myconnectindex]);
 
 			memset(gotpic, 0, sizeof(gotpic));
 			if (isRR()) cacheit_r(); else cacheit_d();
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/sectors_d.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/sectors_d.cpp
index 57581882f..50b30ba21 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/sectors_d.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/sectors_d.cpp
@@ -1458,7 +1458,6 @@ void checkhitsprite_d(DDukeActor* targ, DDukeActor* proj)
 					ps[p].angle.restore();
 
 					updatesector(ps[p].posx, ps[p].posy, &ps[p].cursectnum);
-					setpal(&ps[p]);
 
 					DukeStatIterator it(STAT_ACTOR);
 					while (auto j = it.Next())
@@ -1715,7 +1714,6 @@ void checksectors_d(int snum)
 
 						j = p->cursectnum;
 						p->cursectnum = spr->sectnum;
-						setpal(p);
 						p->cursectnum = j;
 
 						// parallaxtype = 2;
@@ -1736,7 +1734,6 @@ void checksectors_d(int snum)
 				p->newOwner = nullptr;
 
 				updatesector(p->posx, p->posy, &p->cursectnum);
-				setpal(p);
 
 				DukeStatIterator it(STAT_ACTOR);
 				while (auto act = it.Next())
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/sectors_r.cpp b/source/games/duke/src/sectors_r.cpp
index 59efe0cf9..5d1e0c0b0 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/sectors_r.cpp
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/sectors_r.cpp
@@ -2406,7 +2406,6 @@ void checkhitsprite_r(DDukeActor* targ, DDukeActor* proj)
 					ps[p].posz = ps[p].oposz;
 
 					updatesector(ps[p].posx, ps[p].posy, &ps[p].cursectnum);
-					setpal(&ps[p]);
 
 					DukeStatIterator it(STAT_EFFECTOR);
 					while (auto act = it.Next())
diff --git a/source/games/duke/src/types.h b/source/games/duke/src/types.h
index 524cc35e2..1a7dad66d 100644
--- a/source/games/duke/src/types.h
+++ b/source/games/duke/src/types.h
@@ -177,7 +177,6 @@ struct player_struct
 	FixedBitArray<MAX_WEAPONS> gotweapon;
 
 	// Palette management uses indices into the engine's palette table now.
-	unsigned int palette;
 	PalEntry pals;
 
 	// this was a global variable originally.