diff --git a/src/common/kernel/battle.c b/src/common/kernel/battle.c
index db1d99403..bb36f4316 100644
--- a/src/common/kernel/battle.c
+++ b/src/common/kernel/battle.c
@@ -2291,7 +2291,7 @@ PopulationDamage(void)
   static double value = -1.0;
   if (value<0) {
     const char * str = get_param(global.parameters, "battle.populationdamage");
-    value = str?atof(str):BATTLE_KILLS_PEASANTS;
+    value = str?atof(str):(BATTLE_KILLS_PEASANTS/100.0);
   }
   return value;
 }