diff --git a/src/playermat/ClueCounter.ttslua b/src/playermat/ClueCounter.ttslua
index ede426e9..3dcaa490 100644
--- a/src/playermat/ClueCounter.ttslua
+++ b/src/playermat/ClueCounter.ttslua
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ end
 
 -- Activated once per second, counts items in bowls
 function countItems()
-  local totalValue = -1
+  local totalValue = 0
   local countableItems = findValidItemsInSphere()
   for _, entry in ipairs(countableItems) do
     local descValue = tonumber(entry.hit_object.getDescription())