diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/city/managers/CityInfoConquestFunctions.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/city/managers/CityInfoConquestFunctions.kt
index b80aa1f082..1942897f8e 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/city/managers/CityInfoConquestFunctions.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/city/managers/CityInfoConquestFunctions.kt
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ class CityInfoConquestFunctions(val city: City){
             //  civs so the capitalCityIndicator recognizes the unique buildings of the conquered civ
             if (oldCiv.getCapital() == this)  oldCiv.moveCapitalToNextLargest()
 
-            civ.cities = civ.cities.toMutableList().apply { remove(city) }
+            oldCiv.cities = oldCiv.cities.toMutableList().apply { remove(city) }
             newCivInfo.cities = newCivInfo.cities.toMutableList().apply { add(city) }
             civ = newCivInfo
             hasJustBeenConquered = false
diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/civilization/Civilization.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/civilization/Civilization.kt
index 70d7aa621a..7289ba1050 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/civilization/Civilization.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/civilization/Civilization.kt
@@ -772,15 +772,17 @@ class Civilization : IsPartOfGameInfoSerialization {
      * Removes current capital then moves capital to argument city if not null
      */
     fun moveCapitalTo(city: City?) {
-        if (cities.isNotEmpty() && getCapital() != null) {
-            val oldCapital = getCapital()!!
-            oldCapital.cityConstructions.removeBuilding(oldCapital.capitalCityIndicator())
-        }
 
-        if (city == null) return // can't move a non-existent city but we can always remove our old capital
-        // move new capital
-        city.cityConstructions.addBuilding(city.capitalCityIndicator())
-        city.isBeingRazed = false // stop razing the new capital if it was being razed
+        val oldCapital = getCapital()
+
+        // Add new capital first so the civ doesn't get stuck in a state where it has cities but no capital
+        if (city != null) {
+            // move new capital
+            city.cityConstructions.addBuilding(city.capitalCityIndicator())
+            city.isBeingRazed = false // stop razing the new capital if it was being razed
+        }
+        if (oldCapital != null)
+            oldCapital.cityConstructions.removeBuilding(oldCapital.capitalCityIndicator())
     }
 
     fun moveCapitalToNextLargest() {