diff --git a/src/playercards/PlayerCardPanel.ttslua b/src/playercards/PlayerCardPanel.ttslua
index 51427e6a..c3ee6bc4 100644
--- a/src/playercards/PlayerCardPanel.ttslua
+++ b/src/playercards/PlayerCardPanel.ttslua
@@ -603,9 +603,14 @@ function spawnStarterDeck(investigatorName, investigatorData, position)
     local cardIdList = {}
     for id, count in pairs(slots) do
       for i = 1, count do
-        table.insert(cardIdList, id)
+        -- don't include mini-cards and investigators
+        local card = allCardsBagApi.getCardById(id)
+        if card and card.metadata and card.metadata.type ~= "Investigator" and card.metadata.type ~= "Minicard" then
+          table.insert(cardIdList, id)
+        end
       end
     end
+
     spawnBag.spawn({
       name = investigatorName .. "starter",
       cards = cardIdList,