diff --git a/chatcommands.lua b/chatcommands.lua
index 51ee1dd..1c6616c 100644
--- a/chatcommands.lua
+++ b/chatcommands.lua
@@ -816,6 +816,23 @@ factions.register_command("delrank", {
     end
 },false)
 
+factions.register_command("change_def_rank", {
+    description = "Change the default rank given to new players and also replace rankless players in this faction.",
+    format = {"string"},
+    faction_permissions = {"ranks"},
+	global_privileges = def_global_privileges,
+    on_success = function(player, faction, pos, parcelpos, args)
+        local rank = args.strings[1]
+        if not faction.ranks[rank] then
+            send_error(player, "This rank does not exist.")
+            return false
+        end
+        faction:change_def_rank(rank)
+		faction.rankless = false
+        return true
+    end
+},false)
+
 factions.register_command("setspawn", {
     description = "Set the faction's spawn",
     faction_permissions = {"spawn"},
diff --git a/factions.lua b/factions.lua
index ee119a4..63604de 100644
--- a/factions.lua
+++ b/factions.lua
@@ -418,6 +418,8 @@ function factions.Faction.has_permission(self, player, permission)
 				return true
 			end
 		end
+	else
+		self.rankless = true
 	end
     return false
 end
@@ -523,6 +525,17 @@ function factions.Faction.add_rank(self, rank, perms)
     factions.save()
 end
 
+function factions.Faction.change_def_rank(self, rank)
+    for player, r in pairs(self.players) do
+        if r == rank or r == nil or not self.ranks[r] then
+            self.players[player] = rank
+        end
+    end
+	self.default_rank = rank
+	self:on_change_def_rank(rank, rank)
+    factions.save()
+end
+
 --! @brief delete a rank and replace it
 --! @param rank the name of the rank to be deleted
 --! @param newrank the rank given to players who were previously "rank"
@@ -709,6 +722,10 @@ function factions.Faction.on_delete_rank(self, rank, newrank)
     self:broadcast("The rank "..rank.." has been deleted and replaced by "..newrank)
 end
 
+function factions.Faction.on_change_def_rank(self, rank)
+    self:broadcast("The default rank given to new players has been changed to "..rank)
+end
+
 function factions.Faction.on_promote(self, member)
     minetest.chat_send_player(member, "You have been promoted to "..self.players[member])
 end
@@ -1034,6 +1051,11 @@ function(player)
 		if faction:has_permission(name, "diplomacy") then
 			for _ in pairs(faction.request_inbox) do minetest.chat_send_player(name,"You have diplomatic requests in the inbox.") break end
 		end
+		if faction:has_permission(name, "ranks") then
+			if faction.rankless then
+				minetest.chat_send_player(name,"You need to reset the default rank because there are rankless players in this faction. type /f change_def_rank")
+			end
+		end
 		if faction.message_of_the_day and (faction.message_of_the_day ~= "" or faction.message_of_the_day ~= " ") then
 		minetest.chat_send_player(name,faction.message_of_the_day)
 		end