diff --git a/man/empire.6 b/man/empire.6
index a1eff5d9..764811e6 100644
--- a/man/empire.6
+++ b/man/empire.6
@@ -91,7 +91,8 @@ The filename for the \fBreadline\fP startup file, overriding the
 default of \fI~/.inputrc\fP (see \fBREADLINE\fP below).
 .SH READLINE
 When compiled with the GNU \fBreadline\fP library, the client supports
-fancy line editing and persistent history.  See the readline
+fancy line editing and persistent history.  Its application name for
+application-specific settings is \fBEmpire\fP.  See the readline
 documentation for details.
 .SH "SEE ALSO"
 \fIemp_server\fR(6), \fIreadline\fR(3).
diff --git a/src/client/play.c b/src/client/play.c
index bd00768b..5349f323 100644
--- a/src/client/play.c
+++ b/src/client/play.c
@@ -567,6 +567,7 @@ play(int sock, char *history_file)
     if (isatty(0)) {
 	use_readline = 1;
 	rl_already_prompted = 1;
+	rl_readline_name = "Empire";
 	if (history_file)
 	    read_history(history_file);
 	rl_bind_key('\t', rl_insert);  /* Disable tab completion */