diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/devices/translator.dm b/code/game/objects/items/devices/translator.dm
index 49128a6fca..0bb26b32bc 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/devices/translator.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/devices/translator.dm
@@ -16,11 +16,15 @@
 	if(!listening) //Turning ON
 		langset = input(user,"Translate to which of your languages?","Language Selection") as null|anything in user.languages
 		if(langset)
-			listening = 1
-			listening_objects |= src
-			if(mult_icons)
-				icon_state = "[initial(icon_state)]1"
-			to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You enable \the [src], translating into [langset.name].</span>")
+			if(langset && ((langset.flags & NONVERBAL) || (langset.flags & HIVEMIND)))
+				to_chat(user, "<span class='warning'>\The [src] cannot output that language.</span>")
+				return
+			else
+				listening = 1
+				listening_objects |= src
+				if(mult_icons)
+					icon_state = "[initial(icon_state)]1"
+				to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You enable \the [src], translating into [langset.name].</span>")
 	else	//Turning OFF
 		listening = 0
 		listening_objects -= src