diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/simple_animal.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/simple_animal.dm
index 9fb8d5bf7018..72950b17f47f 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/simple_animal.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/simple_animal.dm
@@ -646,9 +646,9 @@
 		return
 
 	var/virt_z = virtual_z()
-	if(!virt_z)
-		return
-	var/players_on_virtual_z = LAZYACCESS(SSmobs.players_by_virtual_z, "[virt_z]")
+	var/players_on_virtual_z = 0
+	if(virt_z)
+		players_on_virtual_z = LAZYACCESS(SSmobs.players_by_virtual_z, "[virt_z]")
 	if(!length(players_on_virtual_z))
 		toggle_ai(AI_Z_OFF)
 	else if(AIStatus == AI_Z_OFF)