diff --git a/conway.go b/conway.go
index 9429b85..f1ce95c 100644
--- a/conway.go
+++ b/conway.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package main
 
 import (
 	"errors"
+	"math/rand"
 	"time"
 )
 
@@ -53,6 +54,8 @@ func initGrid(width, height int, parent ...[][]Cell) ([][]Cell, error) {
 			// If specified, copy state from parent
 			if exists {
 				cells[i][j].live = parent[0][i][j].live
+			} else {
+				cells[i][j].live = rand.Intn(2) == 1
 			}
 		}
 	}