diff --git a/src/battle_tower.c b/src/battle_tower.c
index b753ef7de1..5b17bdf4fb 100644
--- a/src/battle_tower.c
+++ b/src/battle_tower.c
@@ -2155,9 +2155,9 @@ void DoSpecialTrainerBattle(void)
             gBattleTypeFlags = BATTLE_TYPE_TRAINER | BATTLE_TYPE_DOUBLE | BATTLE_TYPE_TWO_OPPONENTS | BATTLE_TYPE_MULTI | BATTLE_TYPE_INGAME_PARTNER;
         }
 
-        gPartnerSpriteId = gSpecialVar_0x8007;
-        FillPartnerParty(gSpecialVar_0x8006 + TRAINER_CUSTOM_PARTNER);
-        gPartnerTrainerId = gSpecialVar_0x8006 + TRAINER_CUSTOM_PARTNER;
+        gPartnerSpriteId = VarGet(gSpecialVar_0x8007);
+        gPartnerTrainerId = VarGet(gSpecialVar_0x8006) + TRAINER_CUSTOM_PARTNER;
+        FillPartnerParty(gPartnerTrainerId);
         CreateTask(Task_StartBattleAfterTransition, 1);
         PlayMapChosenOrBattleBGM(0);
         if (gSpecialVar_0x8005 & MULTI_BATTLE_2_VS_WILD)