diff --git a/code/datums/mutations/_mutations.dm b/code/datums/mutations/_mutations.dm
index 9ea3c8dfb17..82e948ec44f 100644
--- a/code/datums/mutations/_mutations.dm
+++ b/code/datums/mutations/_mutations.dm
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@
  * returns an instance of a power if modification was complete
  */
 /datum/mutation/human/proc/modify()
-	if(modified || !power_path || !owner)
+	if(modified || !power_path || QDELETED(owner))
 		return
 	var/datum/action/cooldown/modified_power = locate(power_path) in owner.actions
 	if(!modified_power)