diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmp/LocalPlayer.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmp/LocalPlayer.cpp
index 15ffd0707..214821eda 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmp/LocalPlayer.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmp/LocalPlayer.cpp
@@ -440,13 +440,6 @@ void LocalPlayer::updateCell(bool forceUpdate)
     }
 }
 
-void LocalPlayer::updateChar()
-{
-    MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->setPlayerRace(npc.mRace, npc.isMale(), npc.mHead, npc.mHair);
-    MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->setPlayerBirthsign(birthsign);
-    MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getInventoryWindow()->rebuildAvatar();
-}
-
 void LocalPlayer::updateEquipment(bool forceUpdate)
 {
     MWWorld::Ptr ptrPlayer = getPlayerPtr();
@@ -838,6 +831,40 @@ void LocalPlayer::closeInventoryWindows()
     MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->finishDragDrop();
 }
 
+void LocalPlayer::setCharacter()
+{
+    MWBase::World *world = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld();
+
+    // Ignore invalid races
+    if (world->getStore().get<ESM::Race>().search(npc.mRace) != 0)
+    {
+        MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld()->getPlayer().setBirthSign(birthsign);
+
+        if (resetStats)
+            MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->setPlayerRace(npc.mRace, npc.isMale(), npc.mHead, npc.mHair);
+        else
+        {
+            ESM::NPC player = *world->getPlayerPtr().get<ESM::NPC>()->mBase;
+
+            player.mRace = npc.mRace;
+            player.mHead = npc.mHead;
+            player.mHair = npc.mHair;
+            player.setIsMale(npc.isMale());
+            world->createRecord(player);
+
+            MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->playerLoaded();
+        }
+
+        setEquipment();
+
+        MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->getInventoryWindow()->rebuildAvatar();
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        LOG_APPEND(Log::LOG_INFO, "- Character update was ignored due to invalid race %s", npc.mRace.c_str());
+    }
+}
+
 void LocalPlayer::setDynamicStats()
 {
     MWBase::World *world = MWBase::Environment::get().getWorld();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmp/LocalPlayer.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmp/LocalPlayer.hpp
index bd475977d..44baea429 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmp/LocalPlayer.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmp/LocalPlayer.hpp
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ namespace mwmp
         void updateReputation(bool forceUpdate = false);
         void updatePosition(bool forceUpdate = false);
         void updateCell(bool forceUpdate = false);
-        void updateChar();
         void updateEquipment(bool forceUpdate = false);
         void updateInventory(bool forceUpdate = false);
         void updateAttack();
@@ -52,6 +51,7 @@ namespace mwmp
 
         void closeInventoryWindows();
 
+        void setCharacter();
         void setDynamicStats();
         void setAttributes();
         void setSkills();
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmp/processors/player/ProcessorPlayerBaseInfo.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmp/processors/player/ProcessorPlayerBaseInfo.hpp
index 026a1ca1e..eab9e8182 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmp/processors/player/ProcessorPlayerBaseInfo.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmp/processors/player/ProcessorPlayerBaseInfo.hpp
@@ -32,8 +32,8 @@ namespace mwmp
                 }
                 else
                 {
-                    LOG_APPEND(Log::LOG_INFO, "- Updating LocalPlayer");
-                    static_cast<LocalPlayer*>(player)->updateChar();
+                    LOG_APPEND(Log::LOG_INFO, "- Setting character for LocalPlayer");
+                    static_cast<LocalPlayer*>(player)->setCharacter();
                 }
             }
             else
diff --git a/components/openmw-mp/Base/BasePlayer.hpp b/components/openmw-mp/Base/BasePlayer.hpp
index 0544f3fb1..9186a383c 100644
--- a/components/openmw-mp/Base/BasePlayer.hpp
+++ b/components/openmw-mp/Base/BasePlayer.hpp
@@ -225,6 +225,7 @@ namespace mwmp
             spellbookChanges.action = 0;
             spellbookChanges.count = 0;
             displayCreatureName = false;
+            resetStats = false;
         }
 
         BasePlayer()
@@ -285,6 +286,7 @@ namespace mwmp
         std::string sound;
         Animation animation;
 
+        bool resetStats;
         float scale;
         bool isWerewolf;