diff --git a/code/modules/client/preferences.dm b/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
index c15bfb3f8d..88c7c33881 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
@@ -875,7 +875,7 @@ datum/preferences
 							for(var/L in all_languages)
 								var/datum/language/lang = all_languages[L]
 								if(!(lang.flags & RESTRICTED))
-									new_languages += lang
+									new_languages += lang.name
 
 						language = input("Please select a secondary language", "Character Generation", null) in new_languages
 
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/new_player/new_player.dm b/code/modules/mob/new_player/new_player.dm
index 8084de6f4b..5c354cc54a 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/new_player/new_player.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/new_player/new_player.dm
@@ -357,10 +357,10 @@
 
 		var/datum/language/chosen_language
 		if(client.prefs.language)
-			chosen_language = all_languages[client.prefs.language]
+			chosen_language = all_languages["[client.prefs.language]"]
 		if(chosen_language)
 			if(is_alien_whitelisted(src, client.prefs.language) || !config.usealienwhitelist || !(chosen_language.flags & WHITELISTED))
-				new_character.add_language(client.prefs.language)
+				new_character.add_language("[client.prefs.language]")
 
 		if(ticker.random_players)
 			new_character.gender = pick(MALE, FEMALE)