diff --git a/code/modules/surgery/bodyparts/dismemberment.dm b/code/modules/surgery/bodyparts/dismemberment.dm
index e863341eb43..6e9143ea630 100644
--- a/code/modules/surgery/bodyparts/dismemberment.dm
+++ b/code/modules/surgery/bodyparts/dismemberment.dm
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@
 		scar.victim = new_limb_owner
 		LAZYADD(new_limb_owner.all_scars, scar)
 
-	if(!special && new_limb_owner.mob_mood.has_mood_of_category("dismembered_[body_zone]"))
+	if(new_limb_owner.mob_mood?.has_mood_of_category("dismembered_[body_zone]"))
 		new_limb_owner.clear_mood_event("dismembered_[body_zone]")
 		new_limb_owner.add_mood_event("phantom_pain_[body_zone]", /datum/mood_event/reattachment, src)