diff --git a/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/basic_subtrees/attack_adjacent_target.dm b/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/basic_subtrees/attack_adjacent_target.dm
index 7dd626b1dc4..98cf1654f71 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/basic_subtrees/attack_adjacent_target.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/basic_subtrees/attack_adjacent_target.dm
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 /datum/ai_behavior/basic_melee_attack/opportunistic/perform(seconds_per_tick, datum/ai_controller/controller, target_key, targeting_strategy_key, hiding_location_key)
 	var/atom/movable/atom_pawn = controller.pawn
 	var/atom/atom_target = controller.blackboard[target_key]
+	if (QDELETED(atom_target))
+		return AI_BEHAVIOR_DELAY | AI_BEHAVIOR_FAILED
 	if(!atom_target.IsReachableBy(atom_pawn))
 		return AI_BEHAVIOR_INSTANT | AI_BEHAVIOR_SUCCEEDED
 	. = ..()