diff --git a/base/code/main.asm b/base/code/main.asm
index 1271240c..dcf5378b 100644
--- a/base/code/main.asm
+++ b/base/code/main.asm
@@ -84,6 +84,20 @@
                 ldr r0, [r0]
                 pop pc
 
+            .thumb
+            @set_starting_items:
+                push lr
+
+                push r1 ; save r1, as it's used later on in the original code
+                bl set_starting_items
+                pop r1 ; restore r1
+
+                ; These three instructions are the original instructions that the `bl` to this current
+                ; function replaced. They are needed to be able to return to the original code.
+                mov r0, 0x3C
+                mul r0, r1
+
+                pop pc
         .pool
         .endarea
 
@@ -130,6 +144,16 @@
         .pool
         .endarea
 
+    .thumb
+    .org 0x20ad20e
+        .area 0x6, 0x00
+            ; hook into the function that sets the starting item flags
+            bl @set_starting_items
+            ; original instruction, do not change
+            b 0x20ad216
+        .pool
+        .endarea
+
     .thumb
     .org 0x20ae1c2
         .area 0x6, 0x00
@@ -479,5 +503,6 @@
             .importobj "code/spawn_custom_freestanding_item.o"
             .importobj "code/custom_salvage_item.o"
             .importobj "code/extend_give_item_function.o"
+            .importobj "code/set_starting_items.o"
         .endarea
 .close
diff --git a/base/code/set_starting_items.c b/base/code/set_starting_items.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7a143e7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/base/code/set_starting_items.c
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+#include "ph.h"
+#include <stdbool.h>
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+__attribute__((target("thumb"))) void set_starting_items(void) {
+  gItemManager->mItemFlags[1] |= 0x2; // start player with SW sea chart
+}