diff --git a/src/openttd.cpp b/src/openttd.cpp
index 198e648fa0..6cf40ffba7 100644
--- a/src/openttd.cpp
+++ b/src/openttd.cpp
@@ -314,7 +314,10 @@ void MakeNewgameSettingsLive()
 	}
 #endif /* ENABLE_AI */
 
+	/* Copy newgame settings to active settings.
+	 * Also initialise old settings needed for savegame conversion. */
 	_settings_game = _settings_newgame;
+	_old_vds = _settings_client.company.vehicle;
 
 #ifdef ENABLE_AI
 	for (CompanyID c = COMPANY_FIRST; c < MAX_COMPANIES; c++) {
diff --git a/src/settings_internal.h b/src/settings_internal.h
index 5ada21eaaf..5c1d4adef9 100644
--- a/src/settings_internal.h
+++ b/src/settings_internal.h
@@ -93,6 +93,4 @@ bool SetSettingValue(uint index, int32 value, bool force_newgame = false);
 bool SetSettingValue(uint index, const char *value, bool force_newgame = false);
 void SetCompanySetting(uint index, int32 value);
 
-extern VehicleDefaultSettings _old_vds;
-
 #endif /* SETTINGS_INTERNAL_H */
diff --git a/src/settings_type.h b/src/settings_type.h
index 5179c7da8e..5ff4a0637a 100644
--- a/src/settings_type.h
+++ b/src/settings_type.h
@@ -465,6 +465,9 @@ extern GameSettings _settings_game;
 /** The settings values that are used for new games and/or modified in config file. */
 extern GameSettings _settings_newgame;
 
+/** Old vehicle settings, which were game settings before, and are company settings now. (Needed for savegame conversion) */
+extern VehicleDefaultSettings _old_vds;
+
 /**
  * Get the settings-object applicable for the current situation: the newgame settings
  * when we're in the main menu and otherwise the settings of the current game.