diff --git a/src/graphics/material.cpp b/src/graphics/material.cpp
index 4663f37cc..cfc76b2d0 100644
--- a/src/graphics/material.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/material.cpp
@@ -79,6 +79,12 @@ Material::Material(const XMLNode *node, int index)
     else
         m_graphical_effect = GE_NONE;
 
+    node->get("alpha", &s);
+    if      (s == "blend")    m_alpha_blending = true;
+    else if (s == "test")     m_alpha_testing = true;
+    else if (s == "additive") m_add = true;
+    else if (s != "none")     fprintf(stderr, "[Material] WARNING: Unknown alpha mode '%s'\n", s.c_str());
+    
     node->get("zipper",                    &m_zipper                   );
     node->get("zipper-duration",           &m_zipper_duration          );
     node->get("zipper-fade-out-time",      &m_zipper_fade_out_time     );