diff --git a/src/k_bot.cpp b/src/k_bot.cpp
index 71a481359..f42f10b4b 100644
--- a/src/k_bot.cpp
+++ b/src/k_bot.cpp
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@
 
 consvar_t cv_forcebots = CVAR_INIT ("kartforcebots", "Off", CV_NETVAR|CV_CHEAT, CV_OnOff, NULL);
 consvar_t cv_botcontrol = CVAR_INIT ("kartbotcontrol", "On", CV_NETVAR|CV_CHEAT, CV_OnOff, NULL);
+consvar_t cv_forcerival = CVAR_INIT ("kartbot_forcerival", "Off", CV_NETVAR|CV_CHEAT, CV_OnOff, NULL);
 
 botdata_t botdata[MAXPLAYERS];
 
@@ -159,6 +160,12 @@ void K_SetBot(UINT8 newplayernum, UINT16 skinnum, UINT8 difficulty, botStyle_e s
 	players[newplayernum].botvars.style = style;
 	players[newplayernum].lives = 9;
 
+	// Does the server want to force rivals? enforce this here.
+	if (cv_forcerival.value)
+	{
+		players[newplayernum].botvars.rival = true;
+	}
+
 	// The bot may immediately become a spectator AT THE START of a GP.
 	// For each subsequent round of GP, K_UpdateGrandPrixBots will handle this.
 	players[newplayernum].spectator = grandprixinfo.gp && grandprixinfo.initalize;
@@ -279,6 +286,16 @@ void K_UpdateMatchRaceBots(void)
 
 					// Enforce normal style for Match Race
 					players[i].botvars.style = BOT_STYLE_NORMAL;
+
+					// Does the server want to force rivals? enforce this here.
+					if (cv_forcerival.value)
+					{
+						players[i].botvars.rival = true;
+					}
+					else
+					{
+						players[i].botvars.rival = false;
+					}
 				}
 				else
 				{
diff --git a/src/k_bot.h b/src/k_bot.h
index 6e9b66ce2..0facb20af 100644
--- a/src/k_bot.h
+++ b/src/k_bot.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 extern consvar_t cv_forcebots;
 extern consvar_t cv_botcontrol;
+extern consvar_t cv_forcerival;
 
 // Maximum value of botvars.difficulty
 #define MAXBOTDIFFICULTY (13)
diff --git a/src/k_kart.c b/src/k_kart.c
index 809dba4b4..01bdf6060 100644
--- a/src/k_kart.c
+++ b/src/k_kart.c
@@ -271,6 +271,7 @@ void K_RegisterKartStuff(void)
 	CV_RegisterVar(&cv_kartbot_basetrackcomplexity);
 	CV_RegisterVar(&cv_forcebots);
 	CV_RegisterVar(&cv_botcontrol);
+	CV_RegisterVar(&cv_forcerival);
 	CV_RegisterVar(&cv_karteliminatelast);
 	CV_RegisterVar(&cv_kartusepwrlv);
 	CV_RegisterVar(&cv_votetime);