diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/GameInfo.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/GameInfo.kt
index d9f439fe72..c9869fbd71 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/GameInfo.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/GameInfo.kt
@@ -615,7 +615,7 @@ class GameInfo : IsPartOfGameInfoSerialization, HasGameInfoSerializationVersion
 
         tileMap.setTransients(ruleset)
 
-        if (currentPlayer == "") currentPlayer = civilizations.first { it.isHuman() }.civName
+        if (currentPlayer == "") currentPlayer = civilizations.first { it.isHuman() && !it.isSpectator() }.civName
         currentPlayerCiv = getCivilization(currentPlayer)
 
         difficultyObject = ruleset.difficulties[difficulty]!!