diff --git a/src/avatar.cpp b/src/avatar.cpp
index 2aab09ba85c75..973376ecc0d8b 100644
--- a/src/avatar.cpp
+++ b/src/avatar.cpp
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@
 #include "pimpl.h"
 #include "player.h"
 #include "player_activity.h"
+#include "profession.h"
 #include "ret_val.h"
 #include "rng.h"
 #include "skill.h"
@@ -1595,3 +1596,30 @@ std::string points_left::to_string()
         return _( "Freeform" );
     }
 }
+
+int avatar::randomize_hobbies()
+{
+    hobbies.clear();
+    std::vector<profession_id> choices = profession::get_all_hobbies();
+
+    int random = rng( 0, 5 );
+    int points = 0;
+
+    if( random >= 1 ) {
+        const profession_id hobby = random_entry_removed( choices );
+        points += hobby->point_cost();
+        hobbies.insert( &*hobby );
+    }
+    if( random >= 3 ) {
+        const profession_id hobby = random_entry_removed( choices );
+        points += hobby->point_cost();
+        hobbies.insert( &*hobby );
+    }
+    if( random >= 5 ) {
+        const profession_id hobby = random_entry_removed( choices );
+        points += hobby->point_cost();
+        hobbies.insert( &*hobby );
+    }
+
+    return points;
+}
diff --git a/src/avatar.h b/src/avatar.h
index a1e5091519b7d..72a37586eb466 100644
--- a/src/avatar.h
+++ b/src/avatar.h
@@ -293,6 +293,8 @@ class avatar : public player
         void add_gained_calories( int cal ) override;
         void log_activity_level( float level ) override;
         std::string total_daily_calories_string() const;
+        //set 0-3 random hobbies, with 1 and 2 being twice as likely as 0 and 3
+        int randomize_hobbies();
 
     private:
         std::unique_ptr<map_memory> player_map_memory;
diff --git a/src/newcharacter.cpp b/src/newcharacter.cpp
index 89dcd0511c52c..04be68a33ec12 100644
--- a/src/newcharacter.cpp
+++ b/src/newcharacter.cpp
@@ -218,6 +218,7 @@ void avatar::randomize( const bool random_scenario, points_left &points, bool pl
     }
 
     prof = get_scenario()->weighted_random_profession();
+    int hobby_point_cost = randomize_hobbies();
     random_start_location = true;
 
     str_max = rng( 6, HIGH_STAT - 2 );
@@ -225,7 +226,8 @@ void avatar::randomize( const bool random_scenario, points_left &points, bool pl
     int_max = rng( 6, HIGH_STAT - 2 );
     per_max = rng( 6, HIGH_STAT - 2 );
     points.stat_points = points.stat_points - str_max - dex_max - int_max - per_max;
-    points.skill_points = points.skill_points - prof->point_cost() - get_scenario()->point_cost();
+    points.skill_points = points.skill_points - prof->point_cost() - get_scenario()->point_cost() -
+                          hobby_point_cost;
     // The default for each stat is 8, and that default does not cost any points.
     // Values below give points back, values above require points. The line above has removed
     // to many points, therefore they are added back.