diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/ai/ai.dm b/code/__DEFINES/ai/ai.dm
index 73a8f2d1900..c91f7eb0659 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/ai/ai.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/ai/ai.dm
@@ -11,6 +11,12 @@
 ///The AI is currently in idle mode.
 #define AI_STATUS_IDLE "ai_idle"
 
+//Flags returned by get_able_to_run()
+///pauses AI processing
+#define AI_UNABLE_TO_RUN (1<<1)
+///bypass canceling our actions on set_ai_status()
+#define AI_PREVENT_CANCEL_ACTIONS (1<<2)
+
 ///For JPS pathing, the maximum length of a path we'll try to generate. Should be modularized depending on what we're doing later on
 #define AI_MAX_PATH_LENGTH 30 // 30 is possibly overkill since by default we lose interest after 14 tiles of distance, but this gives wiggle room for weaving around obstacles
 #define AI_BOT_PATH_LENGTH 75
diff --git a/code/datums/ai/_ai_controller.dm b/code/datums/ai/_ai_controller.dm
index 65e3acf5f6f..07e3851a1ae 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai/_ai_controller.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai/_ai_controller.dm
@@ -317,18 +317,21 @@ multiple modular subtrees with behaviors
 
 /datum/ai_controller/proc/update_able_to_run()
 	SIGNAL_HANDLER
-	able_to_run = get_able_to_run()
-	if(!able_to_run)
+	var/run_flags = get_able_to_run()
+	if(run_flags & AI_UNABLE_TO_RUN)
+		able_to_run = FALSE
 		GLOB.move_manager.stop_looping(pawn) //stop moving
-	set_ai_status(get_expected_ai_status())
+	else
+		able_to_run = TRUE
+	set_ai_status(get_expected_ai_status(), run_flags)
 
 ///Returns TRUE if the ai controller can actually run at the moment, FALSE otherwise
 /datum/ai_controller/proc/get_able_to_run()
 	if(HAS_TRAIT(pawn, TRAIT_AI_PAUSED))
-		return FALSE
+		return AI_UNABLE_TO_RUN
 	if(world.time < paused_until)
-		return FALSE
-	return TRUE
+		return AI_UNABLE_TO_RUN
+	return NONE
 
 ///Can this pawn interact with objects?
 /datum/ai_controller/proc/ai_can_interact()
@@ -415,7 +418,7 @@ multiple modular subtrees with behaviors
 		forgotten_behavior.finish_action(arglist(arguments))
 
 ///This proc handles changing ai status, and starts/stops processing if required.
-/datum/ai_controller/proc/set_ai_status(new_ai_status)
+/datum/ai_controller/proc/set_ai_status(new_ai_status, additional_flags = NONE)
 	if(ai_status == new_ai_status)
 		return FALSE //no change
 
@@ -427,7 +430,8 @@ multiple modular subtrees with behaviors
 	ai_status = new_ai_status
 	GLOB.ai_controllers_by_status[new_ai_status] += src
 	if(ai_status == AI_STATUS_OFF)
-		CancelActions()
+		if(!(additional_flags & AI_PREVENT_CANCEL_ACTIONS))
+			CancelActions()
 		return
 	if(!length(current_behaviors))
 		add_to_unplanned_controllers()
diff --git a/code/datums/ai/bane/bane_controller.dm b/code/datums/ai/bane/bane_controller.dm
index 64e1dcf31af..580e80440a4 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai/bane/bane_controller.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai/bane/bane_controller.dm
@@ -27,5 +27,5 @@ And the only victory you achieved was a lie. Now you understand Gotham is beyond
 /datum/ai_controller/bane/get_able_to_run()
 	var/mob/living/living_pawn = pawn
 	if(IS_DEAD_OR_INCAP(living_pawn))
-		return FALSE
+		return AI_UNABLE_TO_RUN
 	return ..()
diff --git a/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/base_basic_controller.dm b/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/base_basic_controller.dm
index 7ab15437f7d..eb1c38437e3 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/base_basic_controller.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai/basic_mobs/base_basic_controller.dm
@@ -30,17 +30,17 @@
 
 /datum/ai_controller/basic_controller/get_able_to_run()
 	. = ..()
-	if(!.)
-		return FALSE
+	if(. & AI_UNABLE_TO_RUN)
+		return .
 	var/mob/living/living_pawn = pawn
 	if(!(ai_traits & CAN_ACT_WHILE_DEAD))
 		// Unroll for flags here
 		if (ai_traits & CAN_ACT_IN_STASIS && (living_pawn.stat || INCAPACITATED_IGNORING(living_pawn, INCAPABLE_STASIS)))
-			return FALSE
-		else if(IS_DEAD_OR_INCAP(living_pawn))
-			return FALSE
+			return AI_UNABLE_TO_RUN
+		if(IS_DEAD_OR_INCAP(living_pawn))
+			return AI_UNABLE_TO_RUN
 	if(ai_traits & PAUSE_DURING_DO_AFTER && LAZYLEN(living_pawn.do_afters))
-		return FALSE
+		return AI_UNABLE_TO_RUN | AI_PREVENT_CANCEL_ACTIONS //dont erase targets post a do_after
 
 /datum/ai_controller/basic_controller/proc/update_speed(mob/living/basic/basic_mob)
 	SIGNAL_HANDLER
diff --git a/code/datums/ai/monkey/monkey_controller.dm b/code/datums/ai/monkey/monkey_controller.dm
index e92ec519b20..71e3d5f3981 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai/monkey/monkey_controller.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai/monkey/monkey_controller.dm
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ have ways of interacting with a specific mob and control it.
 	var/mob/living/living_pawn = pawn
 
 	if(INCAPACITATED_IGNORING(living_pawn, INCAPABLE_RESTRAINTS|INCAPABLE_STASIS|INCAPABLE_GRAB) || living_pawn.stat > CONSCIOUS)
-		return FALSE
+		return AI_UNABLE_TO_RUN
 	return ..()
 
 /datum/ai_controller/monkey/proc/set_trip_mode(mode = TRUE)
diff --git a/code/datums/ai/oldhostile/hostile_tameable.dm b/code/datums/ai/oldhostile/hostile_tameable.dm
index 907ab955a8d..92e300d939b 100644
--- a/code/datums/ai/oldhostile/hostile_tameable.dm
+++ b/code/datums/ai/oldhostile/hostile_tameable.dm
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
 	var/mob/living/living_pawn = pawn
 
 	if(IS_DEAD_OR_INCAP(living_pawn))
-		return FALSE
+		return AI_UNABLE_TO_RUN
 	return ..()
 
 /datum/ai_controller/hostile_friend/get_access()
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/basic/bots/bot_ai.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/basic/bots/bot_ai.dm
index fd89168ddf4..d777614d743 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/basic/bots/bot_ai.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/basic/bots/bot_ai.dm
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
 /datum/ai_controller/basic_controller/bot/get_able_to_run()
 	var/mob/living/basic/bot/bot_pawn = pawn
 	if(!(bot_pawn.bot_mode_flags & BOT_MODE_ON))
-		return FALSE
+		return AI_UNABLE_TO_RUN
 	return ..()
 
 /datum/ai_controller/basic_controller/bot/get_access()