diff --git a/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/targeting_strategies/basic_targeting_strategy.dm b/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/targeting_strategies/basic_targeting_strategy.dm
index a7d43d600b1..14f0d032079 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/targeting_strategies/basic_targeting_strategy.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/targeting_strategies/basic_targeting_strategy.dm
@@ -50,7 +50,9 @@
 	if(living_mob.see_invisible < the_target.invisibility) //Target's invisible to us, forget it
 		return FALSE
 
-	if(isturf(living_mob.loc) && isturf(the_target.loc) && living_mob.z != the_target.z) // z check will always fail if target is in a mech or pawn is shapeshifted or jaunting
+	if(!isturf(living_mob.loc))
+		return FALSE
+	if(isturf(the_target.loc) && living_mob.z != the_target.z) // z check will always fail if target is in a mech or pawn is shapeshifted or jaunting
 		return FALSE
 
 	if(isliving(the_target)) //Targeting vs living mobs