diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/hostile/regalrat.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/hostile/regalrat.dm
index ef8f069229f..58732c92059 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/hostile/regalrat.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/hostile/regalrat.dm
@@ -315,7 +315,9 @@
 			var/obj/item/food/deadmouse/mouse = new(loc)
 			mouse.icon_state = icon_dead
 			mouse.name = name
-	SSmobs.cheeserats -= src // remove rats on death
+		qdel(src)
+	else
+		SSmobs.cheeserats -= src // remove rats on death
 	return ..()
 
 /mob/living/simple_animal/hostile/rat/revive(full_heal = FALSE, admin_revive = FALSE)