diff --git a/code/autopilot/autopilot.cpp b/code/autopilot/autopilot.cpp
index cea54a80ab..2774ba6383 100644
--- a/code/autopilot/autopilot.cpp
+++ b/code/autopilot/autopilot.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 #include <map>
 
 // Extern functions/variables
-extern int		Player_use_ai;
+extern bool Player_use_ai;
 extern int get_wing_index(object *objp, int wingnum);
 extern object * get_wing_leader(int wingnum);
 extern int Cmdline_autopilot_interruptable;
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ bool StartAutopilot()
 		LockAPConv = _timestamp(); // lock convergence instantly
 	else
 		LockAPConv = _timestamp(3 * MILLISECONDS_PER_SECOND); // 3 seconds before we lock convergence
-	Player_use_ai = 1;
+	Player_use_ai = true;
 	set_time_compression(1);
 	lock_time_compression(true);
 
@@ -858,7 +858,7 @@ void EndAutoPilot()
 
 	set_time_compression(1);
 	lock_time_compression(false);
-	Player_use_ai = 0;
+	Player_use_ai = false;
 	//Clear AI Goals
 
 	if (CinematicStarted) // clear cinematic if we need to
diff --git a/code/mission/missionparse.cpp b/code/mission/missionparse.cpp
index f10b1ed591..c5e75abbe3 100644
--- a/code/mission/missionparse.cpp
+++ b/code/mission/missionparse.cpp
@@ -6421,7 +6421,7 @@ bool post_process_mission(mission *pm)
 
 	// Kazan - player use AI at start?
 	if (pm->flags[Mission::Mission_Flags::Player_start_ai])
-		Player_use_ai = 1;
+		Player_use_ai = true;
 
 	// Assign squadron information
 	if (!Fred_running && (Player != nullptr) && (pm->squad_name[0] != '\0') && (Game_mode & GM_CAMPAIGN_MODE) && !(Game_mode & GM_MULTIPLAYER)) {
diff --git a/code/parse/sexp.cpp b/code/parse/sexp.cpp
index a561e2ad4b..c0cc6ba855 100644
--- a/code/parse/sexp.cpp
+++ b/code/parse/sexp.cpp
@@ -13749,11 +13749,12 @@ void sexp_set_squadron_wings(int node)
 /**
  * Trigger whether player uses the game AI for stuff
  */
-void sexp_player_use_ai(int flag)
+void sexp_player_use_ai(bool use_ai)
 {
-	Player_use_ai = flag ? 1 : 0;
+	Player_use_ai = use_ai;
 
-	if (!flag) {
+	if (!use_ai)
+	{
 		Player_ai->ai_override_flags.reset();
 		Player_obj->phys_info.flags &= ~PF_MANEUVER_NO_DAMP;
 	}
diff --git a/code/playerman/player.h b/code/playerman/player.h
index bb82b69e4a..d3b54b2730 100644
--- a/code/playerman/player.h
+++ b/code/playerman/player.h
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ extern player Players[MAX_PLAYERS];
 extern int Player_num;								// player num of person playing on this machine
 extern player *Player;								// pointer to my information
 
-extern int Player_use_ai;
+extern bool Player_use_ai;
 extern angles chase_slew_angles;					// The viewing angles in which viewer_slew_angles will chase to.
 
 extern angles Player_flight_cursor;
diff --git a/code/playerman/playercontrol.cpp b/code/playerman/playercontrol.cpp
index a3b2394ce4..c9708e13fb 100644
--- a/code/playerman/playercontrol.cpp
+++ b/code/playerman/playercontrol.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ int		Player_num;
 player	*Player = NULL;
 
 // Goober5000
-int		Player_use_ai = 0;
+bool	Player_use_ai = false;
 
 int		lua_game_control = 0;
 
@@ -1461,7 +1461,7 @@ void player_level_init()
 	Player_ship = NULL;
 	Player_ai = NULL;
 
-	Player_use_ai = 0;	// Goober5000
+	Player_use_ai = false;	// Goober5000
 
 	if(Player == NULL)
 		return;