diff --git a/OpenRa.Game/ProductionItem.cs b/OpenRa.Game/ProductionItem.cs
index 91f399075c..4a580feacd 100644
--- a/OpenRa.Game/ProductionItem.cs
+++ b/OpenRa.Game/ProductionItem.cs
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ namespace OpenRa
 
 		public ProductionItem(string item, int time, int cost, Action onComplete)
 		{
+			if( time <= 0 )
+				time = 1;
 			Item = item;
 			RemainingTime = TotalTime = time;
 			RemainingCost = TotalCost = cost;