diff --git a/python/xgboost.py b/python/xgboost.py
index 690d0d4ed..a2389fbce 100644
--- a/python/xgboost.py
+++ b/python/xgboost.py
@@ -121,6 +121,8 @@ class Booster:
             assert isinstance(d,DMatrix)
         dmats = ( ctypes.c_void_p  * len(cache) )(*[ d.handle for d in cache])
         self.handle = ctypes.c_void_p( xglib.XGBoosterCreate( dmats, len(cache) ) )
+        # default random seed
+        self.set_param( {"seed": 0} )
         self.set_param( params )
     def __del__(self):
         xglib.XGBoosterFree(self.handle) 
diff --git a/python/xgboost_python.cpp b/python/xgboost_python.cpp
index 9ad0f34af..a325a20d4 100644
--- a/python/xgboost_python.cpp
+++ b/python/xgboost_python.cpp
@@ -130,6 +130,10 @@ namespace xgboost{
                 xgboost::regrank::RegRankBoostLearner::LoadModel(fname);
                 this->init_model = true;
             }
+            inline void SetParam( const char *name, const char *val ){
+                if( !strcmp( name, "seed" ) ) random::Seed(atoi(val));
+                xgboost::regrank::RegRankBoostLearner::SetParam( name, val );
+            }
             const float *Pred( const DMatrix &dmat, size_t *len, int bst_group ){
                 this->CheckInit();