diff --git a/modular_skyrat/modules/cortical_borer/code/cortical_borer.dm b/modular_skyrat/modules/cortical_borer/code/cortical_borer.dm
index ce5bc063eec..2885e167464 100644
--- a/modular_skyrat/modules/cortical_borer/code/cortical_borer.dm
+++ b/modular_skyrat/modules/cortical_borer/code/cortical_borer.dm
@@ -46,9 +46,12 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(cortical_borers)
 
 /obj/item/organ/borer_body/on_mob_insert(mob/living/carbon/carbon_target, special, movement_flags)
 	. = ..()
+	carbon_target.apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/grouped/screwy_hud/fake_healthy, type)
+	if (isnull(borer))
+		return
+	
 	for(var/datum/borer_focus/body_focus as anything in borer.body_focuses)
 		body_focus.on_add()
-	carbon_target.apply_status_effect(/datum/status_effect/grouped/screwy_hud/fake_healthy, type)
 
 //on removal, force the borer out
 /obj/item/organ/borer_body/on_mob_remove(mob/living/carbon/carbon_target, special, movement_flags)