diff --git a/Tactical/Inventory Choosing.cpp b/Tactical/Inventory Choosing.cpp
index e6c1220e6..cbac1179a 100644
--- a/Tactical/Inventory Choosing.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/Inventory Choosing.cpp	
@@ -2246,29 +2246,45 @@ void ChooseBombsForSoldierCreateStruct( SOLDIERCREATE_STRUCT *pp, INT8 bBombClas
 void ChooseLBEsForSoldierCreateStruct( SOLDIERCREATE_STRUCT *pp, INT8 bLBEClass )
 {
 	DebugMsg (TOPIC_JA2,DBG_LEVEL_3,"ChooseLBEsForSoldierCreateStruct");
-	//UINT16 i;
-	//INVTYPE *pItem;
-	//UINT16 usRandom;
-	UINT16 usItem = 0;
 
 	// CHRISL: If we're using the old inventory system, just return
 	if((UsingNewInventorySystem() == false))
 		return;
 
-	usItem = PickARandomItem( LBE, pp->ubSoldierClass, bLBEClass, FALSE );
+	UINT16 usItem = PickARandomItem( LBE, pp->ubSoldierClass, bLBEClass, FALSE );
 	if ( usItem > 0 )
 	{
 		CreateItem( usItem, (INT8)(80 + Random( 21 )), &gTempObject );
 		gTempObject.fFlags |= OBJECT_UNDROPPABLE;
-		// put backpacks into the backpack slot for LOBOT
-		if ((UsingNewInventorySystem()) && (Item[usItem].usItemClass & IC_LBEGEAR) && (LoadBearingEquipment[Item[usItem].ubClassIndex].lbeClass == BACKPACK))
-		{
-			pp->Inv[BPACKPOCKPOS] = gTempObject;
-		}
-		else
+
+		auto isLBEgear = Item[usItem].usItemClass & IC_LBEGEAR;
+		if (isLBEgear)
 		{
-			PlaceObjectInSoldierCreateStruct( pp, &gTempObject );
+			// put backpacks into the backpack slot for LOBOT
+			auto lbeClass = LoadBearingEquipment[Item[usItem].ubClassIndex].lbeClass;
+			if (lbeClass == BACKPACK && !pp->Inv[BPACKPOCKPOS].exists())
+			{
+				pp->Inv[BPACKPOCKPOS] = gTempObject;
+				return;
+			}
+			// same for pistol holster
+			if (lbeClass == THIGH_PACK)
+			{
+				if (!pp->Inv[LTHIGHPOCKPOS].exists())
+				{
+					pp->Inv[LTHIGHPOCKPOS] = gTempObject;
+					return;
+				}
+				if (!pp->Inv[RTHIGHPOCKPOS].exists())
+				{
+					pp->Inv[RTHIGHPOCKPOS] = gTempObject;
+					return;
+				}
+			}
 		}
+
+		// Couldn't find a specific pocket, just stuff it somewhere
+		PlaceObjectInSoldierCreateStruct( pp, &gTempObject );
 	}
 }