diff --git a/src/map.cpp b/src/map.cpp
index b89d8fe45a970..3ac2ebf3829c7 100644
--- a/src/map.cpp
+++ b/src/map.cpp
@@ -7239,7 +7239,7 @@ void map::spawn_monsters_submap( const tripoint &gp, bool ignore_sight )
             const auto valid_location = [&]( const tripoint & p ) {
                 // Checking for creatures via g is only meaningful if this is the main game map.
                 // If it's some local map instance, the coordinates will most likely not even match.
-                return ( !g || &g->m != this || g->critter_at( p ) ) && tmp.can_move_to( p );
+                return ( !g || &g->m != this || !g->critter_at( p ) ) && tmp.can_move_to( p );
             };
 
             const auto place_it = [&]( const tripoint & p ) {