diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/GameStarter.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/GameStarter.kt
index 28272949a5..bd125bda9e 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/GameStarter.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/GameStarter.kt
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class GameStarter{
     }
 
     fun getStartingLocations(numberOfPlayers:Int,tileMap: TileMap): Stack<TileInfo> {
-        for(minimumDistanceBetweenStartingLocations in 7 downTo 0){
+        for(minimumDistanceBetweenStartingLocations in tileMap.tileMatrix.size/2 downTo 0){
             val freeTiles = tileMap.values
                     .filter { it.isLand() && vectorIsWithinNTilesOfEdge(it.position,min(3,minimumDistanceBetweenStartingLocations),tileMap)}
                     .toMutableList()
diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/city/CityExpansionManager.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/city/CityExpansionManager.kt
index d5e29db95a..75c92aeea6 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/city/CityExpansionManager.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/city/CityExpansionManager.kt
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class CityExpansionManager {
             relinquishOwnership(tile)
 
         cityInfo.getCenterTile().getTilesInDistance(1)
-                .filter { it.getCity()!=null } // can't take ownership of owned tiles
+                .filter { it.getCity()==null } // can't take ownership of owned tiles
                 .forEach { takeOwnership(it) }
     }