diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/GameInfo.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/GameInfo.kt
index 11ffe231fd..853017a611 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/GameInfo.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/GameInfo.kt
@@ -204,7 +204,8 @@ class GameInfo : IsPartOfGameInfoSerialization, HasGameInfoSerializationVersion
     val civMap by lazy { civilizations.associateBy { it.civName } }
     /** Get a civ by name
      *  @throws NoSuchElementException if no civ of that name is in the game (alive or dead)! */
-    fun getCivilization(civName: String) = civMap.getValue(civName)
+    fun getCivilization(civName: String) = civMap[civName]
+        ?: civilizations.first { it.civName == civName } // This is for spectators who are added in later, artificially
     fun getCurrentPlayerCivilization() = currentPlayerCiv
     fun getCivilizationsAsPreviews() = civilizations.map { it.asPreview() }.toMutableList()
     /** Get barbarian civ