diff --git a/scripts/eressea/xmasitems.lua b/scripts/eressea/xmasitems.lua
index b31691d72..a05e023b8 100644
--- a/scripts/eressea/xmasitems.lua
+++ b/scripts/eressea/xmasitems.lua
@@ -62,9 +62,7 @@ end
 
 function use_snowman(u, amount)
     if amount>0 and u.region.terrain == "glacier" then
-        local man = unit.create(u.faction, u.region)
-        man.race = "snowman"
-        man.number = amount
+        local man = unit.create(u.faction, u.region, amount, "snowman")
         return amount
     end
     return -4