diff --git a/Source/debug.cpp b/Source/debug.cpp
index 7a66309d6cfc..7c225962a611 100644
--- a/Source/debug.cpp
+++ b/Source/debug.cpp
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@
 #include <cstdio>
 
 #include "debug.h"
-
 #include "automap.h"
 #include "control.h"
 #include "cursor.h"
@@ -565,7 +564,7 @@ std::string DebugCmdLevelUp(const std::string_view parameter)
 	Player &myPlayer = *MyPlayer;
 	std::string cmdLabel = "[givelvl] ";
 
-	const int levels = ParseInt<int>(parameter, /*min=*/1).value_or(1);
+	const int levels = std::min<int>(ParseInt<int>(parameter, /*min=*/1).value_or(1), GetMaximumCharacterLevel());
 	for (int i = 0; i < levels; i++)
 		NetSendCmd(true, CMD_CHEAT_EXPERIENCE);
 	return StrCat(cmdLabel, "New character level: ", myPlayer.getCharacterLevel());