diff --git a/src/kernel/faction.c b/src/kernel/faction.c
index ae60ce439..e804534c4 100755
--- a/src/kernel/faction.c
+++ b/src/kernel/faction.c
@@ -286,12 +286,14 @@ faction *addfaction(const char *email, const char *password,
 unit *addplayer(region * r, faction * f)
 {
     unit *u;
+    const char * name;
     const struct equipment* eq;
 
     assert(f->units == NULL);
     faction_setorigin(f, 0, r->x, r->y);
     u = create_unit(r, f, 1, f->race, 0, NULL, NULL);
-    eq = get_equipment("first_unit");
+    name = config_get("rules.equip_first");
+    eq = get_equipment(name ? name  : "first_unit");
     if (eq) {
         equip_items(&u->items, eq);
     }