diff --git a/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/simulation/GameCopier.java b/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/simulation/GameCopier.java
index 871fc691419..eb6f8027d98 100644
--- a/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/simulation/GameCopier.java
+++ b/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/simulation/GameCopier.java
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ public class GameCopier {
         // TODO countersAddedThisTurn
 
         if (origGame.getStartingPlayer() != null) {
-            newGame.setStartingPlayer(origGame.getStartingPlayer());
+            newGame.setStartingPlayer(playerMap.get(origGame.getStartingPlayer()));
         }
         if (origGame.getMonarch() != null) {
             newGame.setMonarch(playerMap.get(origGame.getMonarch()));