diff --git a/src/game/worldbuilder.cpp b/src/game/worldbuilder.cpp
index c86cbd2..fe68ed8 100644
--- a/src/game/worldbuilder.cpp
+++ b/src/game/worldbuilder.cpp
@@ -118,6 +118,10 @@ DinkyECS::Entity WorldBuilder::configure_entity_in_room(DinkyECS::World &world,
   Point pos_out;
   bool placed = $map.place_entity(in_room, pos_out);
   dbc::check(placed, "failed to randomly place item in room");
+
+  // don't place anything inside a door
+  if($map.$doors.contains(pos_out)) return DinkyECS::NONE;
+
   auto entity = configure_entity_in_map(world, entity_data, pos_out);
   return entity;
 }
@@ -208,6 +212,7 @@ void WorldBuilder::configure_starting_items(DinkyECS::World &world) {
     blanket.add(name);
   };
 
+  // BUG: Starting items should be configured
   auto torch_id = System::spawn_item(world, "TORCH_BAD");
 
   auto &inventory = world.get<inventory::Model>(player.entity);
@@ -239,6 +244,7 @@ void WorldBuilder::place_entities(DinkyECS::World &world) {
   } else {
     auto player_data = config.enemies["PLAYER_TILE"];
     auto player_ent = configure_entity_in_room(world, player_data, 0);
+    dbc::check(player_ent != DinkyECS::NONE, "placed the player in a door!");
 
     player_pos = world.get<Position>(player_ent);