diff --git a/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/ability/effects/CloneEffect.java b/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/ability/effects/CloneEffect.java
index fd33dc41397..719c4f63ad4 100644
--- a/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/ability/effects/CloneEffect.java
+++ b/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/ability/effects/CloneEffect.java
@@ -108,6 +108,8 @@ public class CloneEffect extends SpellAbilityEffect {
             if (!cloneTargets.isEmpty()) {
                 tgtCard = cloneTargets.get(0);
                 game.getTriggerHandler().clearActiveTriggers(tgtCard, null);
+            } else {
+                return;
             }
         } else if (sa.hasParam("Choices") && sa.usesTargeting()) {
             tgtCard = sa.getTargets().getFirstTargetedCard();