diff --git a/src/common/kernel/save.c b/src/common/kernel/save.c
index 97a5275f7..6959ee478 100644
--- a/src/common/kernel/save.c
+++ b/src/common/kernel/save.c
@@ -1524,7 +1524,6 @@ readunit(FILE * F)
 	} else {
 		rs(F, buf);
 		if (strcmp(buf, "giant turtle")==0) strcpy(buf, "giantturtle");
-		if (strcmp(buf, "elf")==0) strcpy(buf, "demon");
 		u->race = rc_find(buf);
 		assert(u->race);
 		rs(F, buf);