diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/kitchen.dm b/code/game/objects/items/kitchen.dm
index 5b8666705dd..bc424788771 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/kitchen.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/kitchen.dm
@@ -236,6 +236,13 @@
 	if(!target_mob.reagents || reagents.total_volume <= 0)
 		return  ..()
 
+	if(target_mob.is_mouth_covered(ITEM_SLOT_HEAD) || target_mob.is_mouth_covered(ITEM_SLOT_MASK))
+		if(target_mob == user)
+			target_mob.balloon_alert(user, "can't eat with mouth covered!")
+		else
+			target_mob.balloon_alert(user, "[target_mob.p_their()] mouth is covered!")
+		return TRUE
+
 	if(target_mob == user)
 		user.visible_message(
 			span_notice("[user] scoops a spoonful into [user.p_their()] mouth."),