diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/GameInfo.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/GameInfo.kt
index c9869fbd71..53bd03493c 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/GameInfo.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/GameInfo.kt
@@ -615,7 +615,9 @@ class GameInfo : IsPartOfGameInfoSerialization, HasGameInfoSerializationVersion
 
         tileMap.setTransients(ruleset)
 
-        if (currentPlayer == "") currentPlayer = civilizations.first { it.isHuman() && !it.isSpectator() }.civName
+        if (currentPlayer == "") currentPlayer =
+            if (gameParameters.isOnlineMultiplayer) civilizations.first { it.isHuman() && !it.isSpectator() }.civName // For MP, spectator doesn't get a 'turn'
+            else civilizations.first { it.isHuman()  }.civName // for non-MP games, you can be a spectator of an AI-only match, and you *do* get a turn, sort of
         currentPlayerCiv = getCivilization(currentPlayer)
 
         difficultyObject = ruleset.difficulties[difficulty]!!