diff --git a/code/game/objects/effects/anomalies.dm b/code/game/objects/effects/anomalies.dm
index d856dd4fd16..3c67059522c 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/effects/anomalies.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/effects/anomalies.dm
@@ -53,8 +53,18 @@
 	countdown = new(src)
 	if(countdown_colour)
 		countdown.color = countdown_colour
+	if(immortal)
+		return
 	countdown.start()
 
+/obj/effect/anomaly/vv_edit_var(vname, vval)
+	. = ..()
+	if(vname == NAMEOF(src, immortal))
+		if(vval)
+			countdown.stop()
+		else
+			countdown.start()
+
 /obj/effect/anomaly/process(delta_time)
 	anomalyEffect(delta_time)
 	if(death_time < world.time && !immortal)
diff --git a/code/game/objects/effects/countdown.dm b/code/game/objects/effects/countdown.dm
index e5be8ffc0c0..95509006a6f 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/effects/countdown.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/effects/countdown.dm
@@ -127,6 +127,8 @@
 	var/obj/effect/anomaly/A = attached_to
 	if(!istype(A))
 		return
+	else if(A.immortal) //we can't die, why are we still here? just to suffer?
+		stop()
 	else
 		var/time_left = max(0, (A.death_time - world.time) / 10)
 		return round(time_left)