diff --git a/code/datums/ai/_ai_controller.dm b/code/datums/ai/_ai_controller.dm
index 436b4912b18..7ed49e95a5a 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai/_ai_controller.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai/_ai_controller.dm
@@ -379,10 +379,7 @@ multiple modular subtrees with behaviors
 	switch(ai_status)
 		if(AI_STATUS_ON)
 			START_PROCESSING(SSai_behaviors, src)
-		if(AI_STATUS_OFF)
-			STOP_PROCESSING(SSai_behaviors, src)
-			CancelActions()
-		if(AI_STATUS_IDLE)
+		if(AI_STATUS_OFF, AI_STATUS_IDLE)
 			STOP_PROCESSING(SSai_behaviors, src)
 			CancelActions()
 
diff --git a/code/datums/brain_damage/special.dm b/code/datums/brain_damage/special.dm
index 5b8666413e3..1bf011e0fab 100644
--- a/code/datums/brain_damage/special.dm
+++ b/code/datums/brain_damage/special.dm
@@ -491,6 +491,7 @@
 
 	owner.ai_controller = new /datum/ai_controller/monkey(owner)
 	owner.ai_controller.continue_processing_when_client = TRUE
+	owner.ai_controller.can_idle = FALSE
 	owner.ai_controller.set_ai_status(AI_STATUS_OFF)
 
 /datum/brain_trauma/special/primal_instincts/on_lose(silent)
@@ -514,7 +515,7 @@
 	owner.grant_language(/datum/language/monkey, UNDERSTOOD_LANGUAGE, TRAUMA_TRAIT)
 	owner.ai_controller.set_blackboard_key(BB_MONKEY_AGGRESSIVE, prob(75))
 	if(owner.ai_controller.ai_status == AI_STATUS_OFF)
-		owner.ai_controller.set_ai_status(AI_STATUS_IDLE)
+		owner.ai_controller.set_ai_status(AI_STATUS_ON)
 		owner.log_message("became controlled by monkey instincts ([owner.ai_controller.blackboard[BB_MONKEY_AGGRESSIVE] ? "aggressive" : "docile"])", LOG_ATTACK, color = "orange")
 		to_chat(owner, span_warning("You feel the urge to act on your primal instincts..."))
 	// extend original timer if we roll the effect while it's already ongoing
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/basic/ruin_defender/flesh.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/basic/ruin_defender/flesh.dm
index 6524e6fd9d4..6f46e690700 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/basic/ruin_defender/flesh.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/basic/ruin_defender/flesh.dm
@@ -178,7 +178,6 @@
 /mob/living/basic/living_limb_flesh/proc/wake_up(atom/limb)
 	visible_message(span_warning("[src] begins flailing around!"))
 	Shake(6, 6, 0.5 SECONDS)
-	ai_controller.set_ai_status(AI_STATUS_IDLE)
+	ai_controller.set_ai_status(AI_STATUS_ON)
 	forceMove(limb.drop_location())
 	qdel(limb)
-