diff --git a/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/ability/CountersPutAi.java b/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/ability/CountersPutAi.java
index e5f59ab2412..7f23316da9e 100644
--- a/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/ability/CountersPutAi.java
+++ b/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/ability/CountersPutAi.java
@@ -707,6 +707,13 @@ public class CountersPutAi extends SpellAbilityAi {
                         list = CardLists.getTargetableCards(ai.getOpponents().getCardsIn(ZoneType.Battlefield), sa);
                         preferred = false;
                     }
+
+                    if (list.isEmpty()) {
+                        // Still an empty list, but we have to choose something (mandatory); expand targeting to
+                        // include AI's own cards to see if there's anything targetable (e.g. Plague Belcher).
+                        list = CardLists.getTargetableCards(ai.getCardsIn(ZoneType.Battlefield), sa);
+                        preferred = false;
+                    }
                 }
 
                 if (list.isEmpty()) {
diff --git a/forge-gui/res/cardsfolder/p/plague_belcher.txt b/forge-gui/res/cardsfolder/p/plague_belcher.txt
index fabcdcc0dbb..09eca3c7ea9 100644
--- a/forge-gui/res/cardsfolder/p/plague_belcher.txt
+++ b/forge-gui/res/cardsfolder/p/plague_belcher.txt
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ Types:Creature Zombie Beast
 PT:5/4
 K:Menace
 T:Mode$ ChangesZone | Origin$ Any | Destination$ Battlefield | ValidCard$ Card.Self | Execute$ TrigPutCounter | TriggerDescription$ When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, put two -1/-1 counters on target creature you control.
-SVar:TrigPutCounter:DB$ PutCounter | Cost$ 0 | ValidTgts$ Creature.YouCtrl | TgtPrompt$ Select target creature you control | CounterType$ M1M1 | IsCurse$ True | CounterNum$ 2
+SVar:TrigPutCounter:DB$ PutCounter | ValidTgts$ Creature.YouCtrl | TgtPrompt$ Select target creature you control | CounterType$ M1M1 | IsCurse$ True | CounterNum$ 2
 T:Mode$ ChangesZone | Origin$ Battlefield | Destination$ Graveyard | ValidCard$ Zombie.YouCtrl+Other | TriggerZones$ Battlefield | Execute$ TrigLoseLife | TriggerDescription$ Whenever another Zombie you control dies, each opponent loses 1 life.
 SVar:TrigLoseLife:DB$ LoseLife | Defined$ Player.Opponent | LifeAmount$ 1
 SVar:Picture:http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/general/plague_belcher.jpg
-DeckHints:Type$Zombie
+DeckHints:Type$Zombie
 Oracle:Menace\nWhen Plague Belcher enters the battlefield, put two -1/-1 counters on target creature you control.\nWhenever another Zombie you control dies, each opponent loses 1 life.