diff --git a/sku.0/sys.server/compiled/game/script/systems/city/city_hall.java b/sku.0/sys.server/compiled/game/script/systems/city/city_hall.java
index 40a6b6491..7824ac2f4 100755
--- a/sku.0/sys.server/compiled/game/script/systems/city/city_hall.java
+++ b/sku.0/sys.server/compiled/game/script/systems/city/city_hall.java
@@ -231,6 +231,10 @@ public class city_hall extends script.base_script
     }
     public int validateCity(obj_id self, dictionary params) throws InterruptedException
     {
+        if(hasObjVar(self, city.OBJVAR_DERANK_EXEMPT))
+        {
+            return SCRIPT_CONTINUE; // don't destroy a city a GM flagged as de-rank exempt
+        }
         int city_id = findCityByCityHall(self);
         obj_id mayor = cityGetLeader(city_id);
         int total_citizens = 0;