diff --git a/src/accessories/CleanUpHelper.ttslua b/src/accessories/CleanUpHelper.ttslua
index 9c146992..022f9e2b 100644
--- a/src/accessories/CleanUpHelper.ttslua
+++ b/src/accessories/CleanUpHelper.ttslua
@@ -245,6 +245,9 @@ function tidyPlayareaCoroutine()
   local trash = guidReferenceApi.getObjectByOwnerAndType("Mythos", "Trash")
   local playAreaZone = guidReferenceApi.getObjectByOwnerAndType("Mythos", "PlayAreaZone")
 
+  -- reset the playarea image by not providing an image
+  playAreaApi.updateSurface()
+
   if playAreaZone == nil then
     printToAll("Scripting zone for main play area could not be found!", "Red")
   elseif trash == nil then
diff --git a/src/core/Global.ttslua b/src/core/Global.ttslua
index c4621e1e..a8e95e80 100644
--- a/src/core/Global.ttslua
+++ b/src/core/Global.ttslua
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ ENCOUNTER_DECK_DISCARD_POSITION = { -3.85, 1, 10.38 }
 -- GUIDs that will not be interactable (e.g. parts of the table)
 local NOT_INTERACTABLE = {
   "6161b4", -- Decoration-Map
-  "721ba2", -- PlayArea
   "9f334f", -- MythosArea
   "463022", -- Panel behind tentacle stand
   "f182ee", -- InvestigatorCount
diff --git a/src/core/PlayArea.ttslua b/src/core/PlayArea.ttslua
index 1e3b67fa..dbd5781e 100644
--- a/src/core/PlayArea.ttslua
+++ b/src/core/PlayArea.ttslua
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ function onSave()
 end
 
 function onLoad(savedData)
+  self.interactable  = false -- this needs to be here since the playarea will be reloaded when the image changes
   local loadedData   = JSON.decode(savedData) or {}
   locations          = loadedData.trackedLocations or {}
   currentScenario    = loadedData.currentScenario
@@ -84,10 +85,10 @@ function updateSurface(newURL)
 
   if newURL ~= "" and newURL ~= nil and newURL ~= DEFAULT_URL then
     customInfo.image = newURL
-    broadcastToAll("New Playmat Image Applied", { 0.2, 0.9, 0.2 })
+    broadcastToAll("New Playarea Image Applied", { 0.2, 0.9, 0.2 })
   else
     customInfo.image = DEFAULT_URL
-    broadcastToAll("Default Playmat Image Applied", { 0.2, 0.9, 0.2 })
+    broadcastToAll("Default Playarea Image Applied", { 0.2, 0.9, 0.2 })
   end
 
   self.setCustomObject(customInfo)