diff --git a/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/AiController.java b/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/AiController.java
index 41b89134c62..d3591bbc27a 100644
--- a/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/AiController.java
+++ b/forge-ai/src/main/java/forge/ai/AiController.java
@@ -654,13 +654,21 @@ public class AiController {
         else if (sa.getPayCosts() != null){
             Cost payCosts = sa.getPayCosts();
             ManaCost mana = payCosts.getTotalMana();
-            if (mana!= null && mana.countX() > 0) {
-                // Set PayX here to maximum value.
-                final int xPay = ComputerUtilMana.determineLeftoverMana(sa, player);
-                if (xPay <= 0) {
-                    return AiPlayDecision.CantAffordX;
+            if (mana != null) {
+                if(mana.countX() > 0) {
+                    // Set PayX here to maximum value.
+                    final int xPay = ComputerUtilMana.determineLeftoverMana(sa, player);
+                    if (xPay <= 0) {
+                        return AiPlayDecision.CantAffordX;
+                    }
+                    card.setSVar("PayX", Integer.toString(xPay));
+                } else if (mana.isZero()) {
+                    // if mana is zero, but card mana cost does have X, then something is wrong
+                    ManaCost cardCost = card.getManaCost(); 
+                    if (cardCost != null && cardCost.countX() > 0) {
+                        return AiPlayDecision.CantPlayAi;
+                    }
                 }
-                card.setSVar("PayX", Integer.toString(xPay));
             }
         }
         if (checkCurseEffects(sa)) {
@@ -691,6 +699,12 @@ public class AiController {
 	                }
 	                card.setSVar("PayX", Integer.toString(xPay));
                 }
+            } else if (mana.isZero()) {
+                // if mana is zero, but card mana cost does have X, then something is wrong
+                ManaCost cardCost = card.getManaCost(); 
+                if (cardCost != null && cardCost.countX() > 0) {
+                    return AiPlayDecision.CantPlayAi;
+                }
             }
             
             // Check for valid targets before casting