diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/life.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/life.dm
index 996bf78175cdc..2c6263ef7ec19 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/life.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/life.dm
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@
 	handle_impaired_hearing()
 
 /mob/living/proc/handle_confused()
-	confused--
+	confused = max(confused - 1, 0)
 	return confused
 
 /mob/living/proc/handle_impaired_vision()