diff --git a/src/landscape.cpp b/src/landscape.cpp
index 70b06161b4..795055a04a 100644
--- a/src/landscape.cpp
+++ b/src/landscape.cpp
@@ -1055,7 +1055,7 @@ static bool FindSpring(TileIndex tile, void *user_data)
 	if (!IsTileFlat(tile, &referenceHeight) || IsWaterTile(tile)) return false;
 
 	/* In the tropics rivers start in the rainforest. */
-	if (_settings_game.game_creation.landscape == LT_TROPIC && GetTropicZone(tile) != TROPICZONE_RAINFOREST) return false;
+	if (_settings_game.game_creation.landscape == LT_TROPIC && GetTropicZone(tile) != TROPICZONE_RAINFOREST && !_settings_game.game_creation.lakes_allowed_in_deserts) return false;
 
 	/* Are there enough higher tiles to warrant a 'spring'? */
 	uint num = 0;
@@ -1100,7 +1100,7 @@ static bool MakeLake(TileIndex tile, void *user_data)
 {
 	const MakeLakeData *data = (const MakeLakeData *)user_data;
 	if (!IsValidTile(tile) || TileHeight(tile) != data->height || !IsTileFlat(tile)) return false;
-	if (_settings_game.game_creation.landscape == LT_TROPIC && GetTropicZone(tile) == TROPICZONE_DESERT) return false;
+	if (_settings_game.game_creation.landscape == LT_TROPIC && GetTropicZone(tile) == TROPICZONE_DESERT && !_settings_game.game_creation.lakes_allowed_in_deserts) return false;
 
 	/* Offset from centre tile */
 	const int64 x_delta = (int)TileX(tile) - (int)TileX(data->centre);
diff --git a/src/lang/english.txt b/src/lang/english.txt
index 6fc7c7ae0c..8b37fa0f78 100644
--- a/src/lang/english.txt
+++ b/src/lang/english.txt
@@ -1639,8 +1639,8 @@ STR_CONFIG_SETTING_LAKE_SIZE                                    :Size of lakes:
 STR_CONFIG_SETTING_LAKE_SIZE_HELPTEXT                           :Controls the size of lakes that are generated along rivers.
 STR_CONFIG_SETTING_LAKE_SIZE_VALUE                              :{NUM}
 STR_CONFIG_SETTING_LAKE_SIZE_ZERO                               :No lakes
-STR_CONFIG_SETTING_LAKES_ALLOWED_IN_DESERTS                     :Lakes can be generated in sub-tropic climate deserts: {STRING}
-STR_CONFIG_SETTING_LAKES_ALLOWED_IN_DESERTS_HELPTEXT            :Choose whether the lakes that spawn along rivers are allowed in deserts.
+STR_CONFIG_SETTING_LAKES_ALLOWED_IN_DESERTS                     :Lakes and rivers can be generated in sub-tropic climate deserts: {STRING}
+STR_CONFIG_SETTING_LAKES_ALLOWED_IN_DESERTS_HELPTEXT            :Choose whether lakes and rivers are allowed to spawn in sub-tropic climate deserts.
 STR_CONFIG_SETTING_RIVER_AMOUNT                                 :River amount: {STRING2}
 STR_CONFIG_SETTING_RIVER_AMOUNT_HELPTEXT                        :Choose how many rivers to generate
 STR_CONFIG_SETTING_ROCKS_AMOUNT                                 :Size of rocky patches: {STRING}