diff --git a/vacuum_gambit.p8 b/vacuum_gambit.p8
index 5e5d6c8..aa61b9d 100644
--- a/vacuum_gambit.p8
+++ b/vacuum_gambit.p8
@@ -1580,6 +1580,7 @@ function flotilla:load(ulc_cx, ulc_cy, lvl)
    -- keep the row; count it
    for s in all(row) do
     counts[s.ship_t] += 1
+    eships:push_back(s)
    end
    add(rows, row)
   end