diff --git a/code/__HELPERS/global_lists.dm b/code/__HELPERS/global_lists.dm
index 3729f8cefeb..c7f57434960 100644
--- a/code/__HELPERS/global_lists.dm
+++ b/code/__HELPERS/global_lists.dm
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 	for(var/spath in subtypesof(/datum/species))
 		var/datum/species/S = new spath()
 		if(S.roundstart)
-			roundstart_species[S.name] = S.type
+			roundstart_species[S.id] = S.type
 		species_list[S.id] = S.type
 
 	//Surgeries
diff --git a/code/modules/client/preferences_savefile.dm b/code/modules/client/preferences_savefile.dm
index ba1d7bea8b1..e5db8d7ded4 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preferences_savefile.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preferences_savefile.dm
@@ -235,10 +235,10 @@ SAVEFILE UPDATING/VERSIONING - 'Simplified', or rather, more coder-friendly ~Car
 		return 0
 
 	//Species
-	var/species_name
-	S["species"]			>> species_name
-	if(config.mutant_races && species_name && (species_name in roundstart_species))
-		var/newtype = roundstart_species[species_name]
+	var/species_id
+	S["species"]			>> species_id
+	if(config.mutant_races && species_id && (species_id in roundstart_species))
+		var/newtype = roundstart_species[species_id]
 		pref_species = new newtype()
 	else
 		pref_species = new /datum/species/human()
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ SAVEFILE UPDATING/VERSIONING - 'Simplified', or rather, more coder-friendly ~Car
 	S["undershirt"]			<< undershirt
 	S["socks"]				<< socks
 	S["backbag"]			<< backbag
-	S["species"]			<< pref_species.name
+	S["species"]			<< pref_species.id
 	S["feature_mcolor"]					<< features["mcolor"]
 	S["feature_lizard_tail"]			<< features["tail_lizard"]
 	S["feature_human_tail"]				<< features["tail_human"]