diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/civilization/PolicyManager.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/civilization/PolicyManager.kt
index a9970661e3..2f0d942e8f 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/civilization/PolicyManager.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/civilization/PolicyManager.kt
@@ -147,6 +147,8 @@ class PolicyManager {
     }
 
     fun canAdoptPolicy(): Boolean {
+        if (civInfo.cities.isEmpty()) return false
+
         if (freePolicies == 0 && storedCulture < getCultureNeededForNextPolicy())
             return false