diff --git a/src/net_client.c b/src/net_client.c
index 45624b4381..3799b0e13e 100644
--- a/src/net_client.c
+++ b/src/net_client.c
@@ -1216,9 +1216,6 @@ void NET_CL_Init(void)
     {
         net_player_name = NET_GetRandomPetName();
     }
-
-    if (net_player_name == NULL)
-        net_player_name = "Player";
 }
 
 void NET_Init(void)
diff --git a/src/setup/multiplayer.c b/src/setup/multiplayer.c
index 823fda7439..860a644dd1 100644
--- a/src/setup/multiplayer.c
+++ b/src/setup/multiplayer.c
@@ -1100,11 +1100,6 @@ void SetPlayerNameDefault(void)
     {
         net_player_name = NET_GetRandomPetName();
     }
-
-    if (net_player_name == NULL)
-    {
-        net_player_name = M_StringDuplicate("player");
-    }
 }
 
 void MultiplayerConfig(TXT_UNCAST_ARG(widget), void *user_data)