diff --git a/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/card/Card.java b/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/card/Card.java
index 62395243643..3933f1b0be6 100644
--- a/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/card/Card.java
+++ b/forge-game/src/main/java/forge/game/card/Card.java
@@ -6382,7 +6382,10 @@ public class Card extends GameEntity implements Comparable<Card>, IHasSVars {
     }
 
     public void setSplitStateToPlayAbility(final SpellAbility sa) {
-        if (isFaceDown()||isBackSide()||isFlipped()) {
+        if (isInPlay() && (isBackSide() || isFlipped())) {
+            return;
+        }
+        if (isFaceDown()) {
             return;
         }
         if (sa.isBestow()) {