diff --git a/src/objects.js b/src/objects.js
index f0201df3..a40a0a9d 100644
--- a/src/objects.js
+++ b/src/objects.js
@@ -3098,7 +3098,8 @@ SpriteMorph.prototype.freshPalette = function (category) {
             ),
             []);
     } else {
-        blocks = this.getPrimitiveTemplates(category);
+        // ensure we do not modify the cached array
+        blocks = this.getPrimitiveTemplates(category).slice();
     }
     blocks.push('=');
     blocks.push(this.makeBlockButton(category));