diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/models/stats/Stats.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/models/stats/Stats.kt
index 1be0b5ddb9..c419837eef 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/models/stats/Stats.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/models/stats/Stats.kt
@@ -118,7 +118,10 @@ open class Stats() {
         private val statRegexPattern = "([+-])(\\d+) ($allStatNames)"
         private val statRegex = Regex(statRegexPattern)
         private val entireStringRegexPattern = Regex("$statRegexPattern(, $statRegexPattern)*")
-        fun isStats(string:String): Boolean = entireStringRegexPattern.matches(string)
+        fun isStats(string:String): Boolean {
+            if (string[0] != '+' && string[0] != '-') return false // very quick negative check before the heavy Regex
+            return entireStringRegexPattern.matches(string)
+        }
         fun parse(string:String):Stats{
             val toReturn = Stats()
             val statsWithBonuses = string.split(", ")