diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/automation/civilization/NextTurnAutomation.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/automation/civilization/NextTurnAutomation.kt
index 72185c08c1..8ed08a0d3e 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/automation/civilization/NextTurnAutomation.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/automation/civilization/NextTurnAutomation.kt
@@ -336,6 +336,12 @@ object NextTurnAutomation {
     private fun maybeBuyCityTiles(civInfo: Civilization) {
         if (civInfo.gold <= 0)
             return
+        // Don't buy tiles in the very early game. It is unlikely that we already have the required
+        // tech, the necessary worker and that there is a reasonable threat from another player to
+        // grab the tile. We could also check all that, but it would require a lot of cycles each
+        // turn and this is probably a good approximation.
+        if (civInfo.gameInfo.turns < (civInfo.gameInfo.speed.scienceCostModifier * 20).toInt())
+            return
 
         val highlyDesirableTiles: SortedMap<Tile, MutableSet<City>> = TreeMap(
             compareByDescending<Tile?> { it?.naturalWonder != null }