diff --git a/vassal-app/src/main/java/VASSAL/build/module/PlayerRoster.java b/vassal-app/src/main/java/VASSAL/build/module/PlayerRoster.java
index e14429560c..3ffa62b9e2 100644
--- a/vassal-app/src/main/java/VASSAL/build/module/PlayerRoster.java
+++ b/vassal-app/src/main/java/VASSAL/build/module/PlayerRoster.java
@@ -261,8 +261,8 @@ protected void launch() {
       return;
     }
 
-    String newSide;
-    newSide = promptForSide("");
+    String newSide = null;
+    newSide = promptForSide(newSide);
     if ((newSide == null) || newSide.equals(mySide)) {
       return;
     }