diff --git a/code/modules/vending/custom.dm b/code/modules/vending/custom.dm
index 78a1f811fe9..979abb5ec88 100644
--- a/code/modules/vending/custom.dm
+++ b/code/modules/vending/custom.dm
@@ -285,6 +285,10 @@
 	/// Charges the user if its not the owner
 	var/datum/bank_account/payee = id_card.registered_account
 	if(!compartmentLoadAccessCheck(user))
+		if(istype(id_card, /obj/item/card/id/departmental_budget))
+			balloon_alert(user, "invalid payment card")
+			to_chat(user, span_warning("You cannot use a departmental card for this."))
+			return
 		if(!payee.has_money(dispensed_item.custom_price))
 			balloon_alert(user, "insufficient funds!")
 			return