diff --git a/src/doom/d_main.c b/src/doom/d_main.c
index 511ba5d4..d35daa4f 100644
--- a/src/doom/d_main.c
+++ b/src/doom/d_main.c
@@ -1604,7 +1604,7 @@ void D_DoomMain (void)
     }
 
     // Check for -file in shareware
-    if (modifiedgame)
+    if (modifiedgame && !(gamevariant & freedoom))
     {
 	// These are the lumps that will be checked in IWAD,
 	// if any one is not present, execution will be aborted.