diff --git a/Tactical/Items.cpp b/Tactical/Items.cpp
index d50a6a35..47ad0d91 100644
--- a/Tactical/Items.cpp
+++ b/Tactical/Items.cpp
@@ -9785,6 +9785,10 @@ BOOLEAN ApplyClothes( SOLDIERTYPE * pSoldier, UINT16 usItem, UINT16 usPointsToUs
 
 		// apply covert properties depending on our disguise
 		pSoldier->ApplyCovert( TRUE );
+
+		// to inform the player on whether this will work, test the disguise immediately (but only if we are now disguised in the first place)
+		if ( pSoldier->usSoldierFlagMask & (SOLDIER_COVERT_CIV | SOLDIER_COVERT_SOLDIER) )
+			pSoldier->SpySelfTest();
 	}
 		
 	return( TRUE );