diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/map/MapUnit.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/map/MapUnit.kt
index 1f56cc4e8c..99bbbb83af 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/map/MapUnit.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/map/MapUnit.kt
@@ -1104,7 +1104,11 @@ class MapUnit {
 
     fun canBuildImprovement(improvement: TileImprovement, tile: TileInfo = currentTile): Boolean {
         // Workers (and similar) should never be able to (instantly) construct things, only build them
-        if (improvement.turnsToBuild == 0 && improvement.name != Constants.cancelImprovementOrder) return false
+        // HOWEVER, they should be able to repair such things if they are pillaged
+        if (improvement.turnsToBuild == 0 
+            && improvement.name != Constants.cancelImprovementOrder 
+            && tile.improvementInProgress != improvement.name
+        ) return false
         val matchingUniques = getMatchingUniques(UniqueType.BuildImprovements)
         return matchingUniques.any { improvement.matchesFilter(it.params[0]) || tile.matchesTerrainFilter(it.params[0]) }
     }