diff --git a/ttd.c b/ttd.c
index cf5a021c82..242b9c7299 100644
--- a/ttd.c
+++ b/ttd.c
@@ -1238,7 +1238,7 @@ bool AfterLoadGame(uint version)
 		uint h = MapSizeY();
 
 		BEGIN_TILE_LOOP(tile_cur, w, h, tile)
-			if (IS_TILETYPE(tile_cur, MP_WATER) && _map_owner[tile_cur] != OWNER_WATER)
+			if (IS_TILETYPE(tile_cur, MP_WATER) && _map_owner[tile_cur] >= MAX_PLAYERS)
 				_map_owner[tile_cur] = OWNER_WATER;
 			if (!IS_TILETYPE(tile_cur, MP_WATER) && _map_owner[tile_cur] == OWNER_WATER)
 				_map_owner[tile_cur] = OWNER_NONE;