diff --git a/Ja2/GameSettings.cpp b/Ja2/GameSettings.cpp
index 83d62f4ce..226ec2f9b 100644
--- a/Ja2/GameSettings.cpp
+++ b/Ja2/GameSettings.cpp
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ BOOLEAN LoadGameSettings()
 
 		gGameSettings.fOptions[TOPTION_ALT_START_AIM]					= iniReader.ReadBoolean("JA2 Game Settings", "TOPTION_ALT_START_AIM"				   , TRUE); // Start at max aiming level instead of default no aiming
 		gGameSettings.fOptions[TOPTION_ALT_PATHFINDING]					= iniReader.ReadBoolean("JA2 Game Settings", "TOPTION_ALT_PATHFINDING"				   , FALSE); // A* pathfinding
-		gGameSettings.fOptions[TOPTION_MERCENARY_FORMATIONS]            = iniReader.ReadBoolean("JA2 Game Settings","TOPTION_MERCENARY_FORMATIONS"             ,  TRUE ); // Flugente: mercenary formations
+		gGameSettings.fOptions[TOPTION_MERCENARY_FORMATIONS]            = iniReader.ReadBoolean("JA2 Game Settings","TOPTION_MERCENARY_FORMATIONS"             ,  FALSE ); // Flugente: mercenary formations
 		gGameSettings.fOptions[TOPTION_SHOW_ENEMY_LOCATION]				= iniReader.ReadBoolean("JA2 Game Settings","TOPTION_SHOW_ENEMY_LOCATION"			   ,  FALSE); // sevenfm: show locations of known enemies
 		gGameSettings.fOptions[TOPTION_REPORT_MISS_MARGIN]				= iniReader.ReadBoolean("JA2 Game Settings","TOPTION_REPORT_MISS_MARGIN"			   ,  FALSE ); // HEADROCK HAM 4: Shot offset report
 		gGameSettings.fOptions[TOPTION_USE_LOGICAL_BODYTYPES]			= iniReader.ReadBoolean("JA2 Game Settings","TOPTION_USE_LOGICAL_BODYTYPES"			   ,  TRUE );