diff --git a/code/modules/surgery/organs/lungs.dm b/code/modules/surgery/organs/lungs.dm
index 76a002bc40d..c3e1ae6949d 100644
--- a/code/modules/surgery/organs/lungs.dm
+++ b/code/modules/surgery/organs/lungs.dm
@@ -585,6 +585,10 @@
 	. = ..()
 
 	var/datum/gas_mixture/immutable/planetary/mix = SSair.planetary[LAVALAND_DEFAULT_ATMOS]
+
+	if(!mix?.total_moles()) // this typically means we didn't load lavaland, like if we're using #define LOWMEMORYMODE
+		return
+
 	// Take a "breath" of the air
 	var/datum/gas_mixture/breath = mix.remove(mix.total_moles() * BREATH_PERCENTAGE)