diff --git a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/automation/NextTurnAutomation.kt b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/automation/NextTurnAutomation.kt
index 452cfcdc89..61a4628ea2 100644
--- a/core/src/com/unciv/logic/automation/NextTurnAutomation.kt
+++ b/core/src/com/unciv/logic/automation/NextTurnAutomation.kt
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import com.unciv.models.ruleset.tech.Technology
 import com.unciv.models.ruleset.tile.ResourceType
 import com.unciv.models.ruleset.unique.UniqueType
 import com.unciv.models.ruleset.unit.BaseUnit
+import com.unciv.models.ruleset.unit.UnitType
 import com.unciv.models.stats.Stat
 import com.unciv.models.translations.tr
 import com.unciv.ui.victoryscreen.RankingType
@@ -505,6 +506,7 @@ object NextTurnAutomation {
 
         val ourMilitaryUnits = civInfo.getCivUnits().filter { !it.isCivilian() }.count()
         if (ourMilitaryUnits < civInfo.cities.size) return
+        if (ourMilitaryUnits < 4) return  // to stop AI declaring war at the beginning of games when everyone isn't set up well enough
 
         //evaluate war
         val enemyCivs = civInfo.getKnownCivs()