diff --git a/Mage.Sets/src/mage/cards/m/MagesContest.java b/Mage.Sets/src/mage/cards/m/MagesContest.java
index 56b1a0d7a02..bf7b44a7c1a 100644
--- a/Mage.Sets/src/mage/cards/m/MagesContest.java
+++ b/Mage.Sets/src/mage/cards/m/MagesContest.java
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ class MagesContestEffect extends OneShotEffect {
                         int newBid = 0;
                         if (!currentPlayer.isHuman()) {
                             // make AI evaluate value of the spell to decide on bidding, should be reworked
-                            int maxBid = Math.min(RandomUtil.nextInt(currentPlayer.getLife()) + RandomUtil.nextInt(spell.getConvertedManaCost()), currentPlayer.getLife());
+                            int maxBid = Math.min(RandomUtil.nextInt(Math.max(currentPlayer.getLife(), 0)) + RandomUtil.nextInt(spell.getConvertedManaCost()), currentPlayer.getLife());
                             if (highBid + 1 < maxBid) {
                                 newBid = highBid + 1;
                             }