diff --git a/stepmania/src/BeginnerHelper.cpp b/stepmania/src/BeginnerHelper.cpp
index dced3688f9..3a1e979c84 100644
--- a/stepmania/src/BeginnerHelper.cpp
+++ b/stepmania/src/BeginnerHelper.cpp
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ void BeginnerHelper::Initialize( int iDancePadType )
 			GAMESTATE->m_pCurCharacters[pl] = GAMESTATE->GetRandomCharacter();
 		}
 
-		if( GAMESTATE->m_PreferredDifficulty[pl] == DIFFICULTY_BEGINNER && GAMESTATE->m_pCurCharacters[pl] != NULL )
+		if( GAMESTATE->m_pCurNotes[player_no]->GetDifficulty() == DIFFICULTY_BEGINNER && GAMESTATE->m_pCurCharacters[pl] != NULL )
 		{
 			// Load textures
 			m_mDancer[pl].SetHorizAlign( align_left );