diff --git a/conf/e2/config.xml b/conf/e2/config.xml
index 980671bcf..f99176432 100644
--- a/conf/e2/config.xml
+++ b/conf/e2/config.xml
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
     <param name="hunger.long" value="1"/>
     <param name="init_spells" value="0"/>
     <param name="rules.reserve.twophase" value="1"/>
-    <param name="rules.give.max_men" value="10000"/>
+    <param name="rules.give.max_men" value="-1"/>
     <param name="rules.check_overload" value="0"/>
     <param name="rules.limit.faction" value="2500"/>
     <param name="rules.maxskills.magic" value="5"/>
diff --git a/src/give.c b/src/give.c
index 93cba504e..d22a09c73 100644
--- a/src/give.c
+++ b/src/give.c
@@ -244,6 +244,7 @@ message * give_men(int n, unit * u, unit * u2, struct order *ord)
     int k = 0;
     int error = 0;
     message * msg;
+    int maxt = max_transfers();
 
     assert(u2);
 
@@ -303,7 +304,7 @@ message * give_men(int n, unit * u, unit * u2, struct order *ord)
             error = 96;
         }
         else if (u->faction != u2->faction) {
-            if (u2->faction->newbies + n > max_transfers()) {
+            if (maxt>=0 && u2->faction->newbies + n > maxt) {
                 error = 129;
             }
             else if (u_race(u) != u2->faction->race) {
@@ -365,7 +366,7 @@ message * give_men(int n, unit * u, unit * u2, struct order *ord)
             set_leftship(u2, sh);
         }
         transfermen(u, u2, n);
-        if (u->faction != u2->faction) {
+        if (maxt>=0 && u->faction != u2->faction) {
             u2->faction->newbies += n;
         }
     }