diff --git a/sc2/src/sc2code/comm.c b/sc2/src/sc2code/comm.c
index 165bba5a1..84aacebb9 100644
--- a/sc2/src/sc2code/comm.c
+++ b/sc2/src/sc2code/comm.c
@@ -1664,7 +1664,8 @@ RaceCommunication (void)
 				// XXX: Bug 996 lives here: crew is set to default (0)
 				//   None of ship info is actually used!
 				CloneShipFragment (EncounterPtr->SD.Type,
-						&GLOBAL (npc_built_ship_q), 0);
+						&GLOBAL (npc_built_ship_q),
+						EncounterPtr->ShipList[i].crew_level);
 			}
 
 			// XXX: Bug: CurStarDescPtr was abused to point within
diff --git a/sc2/src/sc2code/encount.h b/sc2/src/sc2code/encount.h
index 4fe59236e..f4b0aa977 100644
--- a/sc2/src/sc2code/encount.h
+++ b/sc2/src/sc2code/encount.h
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ typedef HLINK HENCOUNTER;
 
 typedef struct
 {
+	// The only field actually used right now is crew_level
 	BYTE race_id;
 	COUNT crew_level;
 	COUNT max_crew;