diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/civilization/PolicyManager.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/civilization/PolicyManager.kt
index 22463127db..882cf61e07 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/civilization/PolicyManager.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/civilization/PolicyManager.kt
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ class PolicyManager {
                 }
         for (city in candidateCities) {
             val builtBuilding = city.cityConstructions.addCultureBuilding()
-            legalismState[city.id] = builtBuilding!!
+            if (builtBuilding != null) legalismState[city.id] = builtBuilding!!
         }
     }
 }
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