diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_defense.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_defense.dm
index c22f1a12bc9..49e93256442 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_defense.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon_defense.dm
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /mob/living/carbon/attackby(obj/item/I, mob/user, params)
 	if(lying)
 		if(surgeries.len)
-			if(user.a_intent == "help")
+			if(user != src && user.a_intent == "help")
 				for(var/datum/surgery/S in surgeries)
 					if(S.next_step(user, src))
 						return 1