diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/snippets.py b/vasl_templates/webapp/snippets.py
index 6c933bb..ae94484 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/snippets.py
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/snippets.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import zipfile
 import io
 import base64
 import threading
+import urllib.request
 
 from flask import request, jsonify, send_file, abort
 from PIL import Image
@@ -178,8 +179,11 @@ def get_flag( nat ):
     if globvars.template_pack:
         fname = globvars.template_pack.get( "nationalities", {} ).get( nat, {} ).get( "flag" )
         if fname:
-            with open( fname, "rb" ) as fp:
-                return _get_small_image( fp, key, height )
+            if fname.startswith( ("http://","https://") ):
+                fp = urllib.request.urlopen( fname )
+            else:
+                fp = open( fname, "rb" )
+            return _get_small_image( fp, key, height )
 
     # serve the standard flag
     fname = os.path.join( "static/images/flags/", nat+".png" )
diff --git a/vasl_templates/webapp/static/utils.js b/vasl_templates/webapp/static/utils.js
index 3d32a64..aa8991b 100644
--- a/vasl_templates/webapp/static/utils.js
+++ b/vasl_templates/webapp/static/utils.js
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ function get_player_colors_for_element( $elem )
 }
 
 function make_player_flag_url( nat, for_snippet ) {
+    var flag = gTemplatePack.nationalities[nat].flag ;
+    if ( flag )
+        return flag ; // nb:  custom flag, just use that
     if ( for_snippet && gUserSettings["scenario-images-source"] == SCENARIO_IMAGES_SOURCE_INTERNET )
         return gAppConfig.ONLINE_IMAGES_URL_BASE + "/flags/" + nat + ".png" ;
     else