diff --git a/src/core/configuration/DefaultConfig.ts b/src/core/configuration/DefaultConfig.ts
index d5f9864f4..a8293191d 100644
--- a/src/core/configuration/DefaultConfig.ts
+++ b/src/core/configuration/DefaultConfig.ts
@@ -662,7 +662,7 @@ export class DefaultConfig implements Config {
 
     const cityWorkers =
       (adjustedCityPopulation * totalWorkers) / totalPopulation;
-    const ruralWorkers = totalWorkers - cityWorkers;
+    const ruralWorkers = Math.max(totalWorkers - cityWorkers, 0);
 
     const cityGold = cityWorkers / 2000;
     const tileGold = (ruralWorkers ** 0.5 * numTiles ** 0.5) / 600;