diff --git a/code/ryzom/client/src/login_patch.cpp b/code/ryzom/client/src/login_patch.cpp
index d087a847d..f21d84bb7 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/client/src/login_patch.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/client/src/login_patch.cpp
@@ -1280,6 +1280,19 @@ void CPatchManager::readDescFile(sint32 nVersion)
 
 		CBNPFileSet &bnpFS = const_cast<CBNPFileSet &>(DescFile.getFiles());
 
+		// TODO: .ref files are expected to follow platform category naming (they are in 'main' category)
+		std::set<std::string>::const_iterator it;
+		for(it = forceRemovePatchCategories.begin(); it != forceRemovePatchCategories.end(); ++it)
+		{
+			std::string name = *it;
+			std::string::size_type pos = name.find("_");
+			if (pos != std::string::npos)
+			{
+				name = name.substr(pos+1) + "_.ref";
+				bnpFS.removeFile(name);
+			}
+		}
+
 		for (cat = 0; cat < DescFile.getCategories().categoryCount();)
 		{
 			const CBNPCategory &bnpCat = DescFile.getCategories().getCategory(cat);