diff --git a/code/datums/wounds/_wounds.dm b/code/datums/wounds/_wounds.dm
index 032ab38152e..8f9d9fa4f47 100644
--- a/code/datums/wounds/_wounds.dm
+++ b/code/datums/wounds/_wounds.dm
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@
   */
 /datum/wound/proc/try_treating(obj/item/I, mob/user)
 	// first we weed out if we're not dealing with our wound's bodypart, or if it might be an attack
-	if(!I || limb.body_zone != user.zone_selected || (I.force && user.a_intent != INTENT_HELP))
+	if(QDELETED(I) || limb.body_zone != user.zone_selected || (I.force && user.a_intent != INTENT_HELP))
 		return FALSE
 
 	var/allowed = FALSE