diff --git a/code/modules/pai/door_jack.dm b/code/modules/pai/door_jack.dm
index 3f7f393a59a..0bb9b50aec6 100644
--- a/code/modules/pai/door_jack.dm
+++ b/code/modules/pai/door_jack.dm
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 	QDEL_NULL(hacking_cable) //clear any old cables
 	hacking_cable = new
 	var/mob/living/carbon/hacker = get_holder()
-	if(hacker?.put_in_hands(hacking_cable))
+	if(iscarbon(hacker) && hacker.put_in_hands(hacking_cable)) //important to double check since get_holder can return non-null values that aren't carbons.
 		hacker.visible_message(span_notice("A port on [src] opens to reveal a cable, which you quickly grab."), span_hear("You hear the soft click of a plastic	component and manage to catch the falling cable."))
 		track_pai()
 		track_thing(hacking_cable)
@@ -90,10 +90,7 @@
 /mob/living/silicon/pai/proc/retract_cable()
 	hacking_cable.visible_message(span_notice("The cable quickly retracts."))
 	balloon_alert(src, "cable retracted")
-	untrack_pai()
-	untrack_thing(hacking_cable)
 	QDEL_NULL(hacking_cable)
-	SStgui.update_user_uis(src)
 	return TRUE
 
 /**
diff --git a/code/modules/pai/pai.dm b/code/modules/pai/pai.dm
index a4b000cc773..17f16ae9014 100644
--- a/code/modules/pai/pai.dm
+++ b/code/modules/pai/pai.dm
@@ -183,7 +183,10 @@
 
 /mob/living/silicon/pai/handle_atom_del(atom/deleting_atom)
 	if(deleting_atom == hacking_cable)
+		untrack_pai()
+		untrack_thing(hacking_cable)
 		hacking_cable = null
+		SStgui.update_user_uis(src)
 		if(!QDELETED(card))
 			card.update_appearance()
 	if(deleting_atom == atmos_analyzer)
diff --git a/code/modules/pai/software.dm b/code/modules/pai/software.dm
index 3c429adf934..4849d754043 100644
--- a/code/modules/pai/software.dm
+++ b/code/modules/pai/software.dm
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@
 		to_chat(src, span_syndradio("You are not at liberty to do this! All agents are clandestine."))
 		return FALSE
 	var/mob/living/carbon/holder = get_holder()
-	if(!holder)
+	if(!iscarbon(holder))
 		balloon_alert(src, "not being carried")
 		return FALSE
 	balloon_alert(src, "requesting DNA sample")