diff --git a/src/p_mobj.c b/src/p_mobj.c
index 5e925094..ba0db3c3 100644
--- a/src/p_mobj.c
+++ b/src/p_mobj.c
@@ -48,13 +48,13 @@
 #include "z_zone.h"
 
 boolean direct_vertical_aiming, default_direct_vertical_aiming;
-int max_pitch_angle = 32 * ANG1;
+int max_pitch_angle = 32 * ANG1, default_max_pitch_angle;
 
 void P_UpdateDirectVerticalAiming(void)
 {
   direct_vertical_aiming = (CRITICAL(default_direct_vertical_aiming) &&
                             (mouselook || padlook));
-  max_pitch_angle = direct_vertical_aiming ? ANG45 : 32 * ANG1;
+  max_pitch_angle = default_max_pitch_angle * ANG1;
 }
 
 //
diff --git a/src/p_mobj.h b/src/p_mobj.h
index 2a9abe8f..4eaa191b 100644
--- a/src/p_mobj.h
+++ b/src/p_mobj.h
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ extern int iquehead;
 extern int iquetail;
 
 extern boolean direct_vertical_aiming, default_direct_vertical_aiming;
-extern int max_pitch_angle;
+extern int max_pitch_angle, default_max_pitch_angle;
 void P_UpdateDirectVerticalAiming(void);
 
 extern boolean checksight12;
diff --git a/src/r_main.c b/src/r_main.c
index 2b6dcef1..a7cce41f 100644
--- a/src/r_main.c
+++ b/src/r_main.c
@@ -1034,6 +1034,7 @@ void R_BindRenderVariables(void)
   BIND_BOOL(flashing_hom, true, "Enable flashing of the HOM indicator");
   M_BindNum("screenblocks", &screenblocks, NULL, 10, 3,
             UL, ss_stat, wad_no, "Size of game-world screen");
+  BIND_NUM(default_max_pitch_angle, 32, 30, 60, "Maximum view pitch angle");
 
   M_BindBool("translucency", &translucency, NULL, true, ss_gen, wad_yes,
              "Translucency for some things");