diff --git a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameNetwork/NetworkDefs.h b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameNetwork/NetworkDefs.h
index 138aaeb9db..5f1ceb007b 100644
--- a/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameNetwork/NetworkDefs.h
+++ b/Generals/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameNetwork/NetworkDefs.h
@@ -170,7 +170,12 @@ enum PlayerLeaveCode CPP_11(: Int) {
 };
 
 // Magic number for identifying a Generals packet.
+#if defined(_MSC_VER) && _MSC_VER < 1300
+// Original retail value is used for builds with VC6
 static const UnsignedShort GENERALS_MAGIC_NUMBER = 0xF00D;
+#else
+static const UnsignedShort GENERALS_MAGIC_NUMBER = 0xF00D+1;
+#endif
 
 // The number of fps history entries.
 //static const Int NETWORK_FPS_HISTORY_LENGTH = 30;
diff --git a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameNetwork/NetworkDefs.h b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameNetwork/NetworkDefs.h
index 171f33df3d..e486aa2ee8 100644
--- a/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameNetwork/NetworkDefs.h
+++ b/GeneralsMD/Code/GameEngine/Include/GameNetwork/NetworkDefs.h
@@ -170,7 +170,12 @@ enum PlayerLeaveCode CPP_11(: Int) {
 };
 
 // Magic number for identifying a Generals packet.
+#if defined(_MSC_VER) && _MSC_VER < 1300
+// Original retail value is used for builds with VC6
 static const UnsignedShort GENERALS_MAGIC_NUMBER = 0xF00D;
+#else
+static const UnsignedShort GENERALS_MAGIC_NUMBER = 0xF00D+1;
+#endif
 
 // The number of fps history entries.
 //static const Int NETWORK_FPS_HISTORY_LENGTH = 30;