The aerosol-generating article (10) comprises a plurality of elements assembled in the form of a rod having a mouth end (70) and a distal end (80) upstream from the mouth end. The plurality of elements comprises an aerosol-forming substrate (20) with an elongate susceptor (25) arranged longitudinally within the aerosol-forming substrate. A plug element (90) is located upstream of and adjacent the aerosol-forming substrate within the rod. The plug element (90) thereby prevents direct physical contact with a distal end of the elongate susceptor (25) arranged longitudinally within the aerosol-forming substrate (20).