diff --git a/code/modules/clothing/spacesuits/rig/rig.dm b/code/modules/clothing/spacesuits/rig/rig.dm
index c66f2a986c..5d1addd471 100644
--- a/code/modules/clothing/spacesuits/rig/rig.dm
+++ b/code/modules/clothing/spacesuits/rig/rig.dm
@@ -493,6 +493,8 @@
 		return 1
 
 	if(istype(user))
+		if(malfunction_check(user))
+			return 0
 		if(user.back != src)
 			return 0
 		if(locked_dna)
@@ -509,10 +511,10 @@
 
 	return 1
 
+//TODO: Fix Topic vulnerabilities for malfunction and AI override.
 /obj/item/weapon/rig/Topic(href,href_list)
-
 	if(!check_suit_access(usr))
-		return
+		return 0
 
 	if(href_list["toggle_piece"])
 		if(ishuman(usr) && (usr.stat || usr.stunned || usr.lying))
@@ -545,7 +547,7 @@
 
 	usr.set_machine(src)
 	src.add_fingerprint(usr)
-	return 1
+	return 0
 
 /obj/item/weapon/rig/proc/notify_ai(var/message)
 	if(!message || !installed_modules || !installed_modules.len)
@@ -724,6 +726,12 @@
 		wearer << "<span class='danger'>The [source] has [dam_module.damage >= 2 ? "destroyed" : "damaged"] your [dam_module.interface_name]!"
 	dam_module.deactivate()
 
+/obj/item/weapon/rig/proc/malfunction_check(var/mob/living/carbon/human/user)
+	if(malfunctioning)
+		user << "<span class='danger'>ERROR: Hardware fault. Rebooting interface...</span>"
+		return 1
+	return 0
+
 /*/obj/item/weapon/rig/proc/forced_move(dir)
 	if(locked_down)
 		return 0
diff --git a/code/modules/clothing/spacesuits/rig/rig_verbs.dm b/code/modules/clothing/spacesuits/rig/rig_verbs.dm
index ce20244734..09db9b0325 100644
--- a/code/modules/clothing/spacesuits/rig/rig_verbs.dm
+++ b/code/modules/clothing/spacesuits/rig/rig_verbs.dm
@@ -141,6 +141,9 @@
 	set category = "Hardsuit"
 	set src = usr.contents
 
+	if(malfunction_check(usr))
+		return
+
 	if(!check_power_cost(usr, 0, 0, 0, 0))
 		return
 
@@ -168,6 +171,9 @@
 	set category = "Hardsuit"
 	set src = usr.contents
 
+	if(malfunction_check(usr))
+		return
+
 	if(canremove)
 		usr << "<span class='warning'>The suit is not active.</span>"
 		return
@@ -189,6 +195,9 @@
 	set category = "Hardsuit"
 	set src = usr.contents
 
+	if(malfunction_check(usr))
+		return
+	
 	if(!check_power_cost(usr, 0, 0, 0, 0))
 		return
 
@@ -222,6 +231,9 @@
 	set category = "Hardsuit"
 	set src = usr.contents
 
+	if(malfunction_check(usr))
+		return
+
 	if(!check_power_cost(usr, 0, 0, 0, 0))
 		return
 
@@ -257,6 +269,9 @@
 	set category = "Hardsuit"
 	set src = usr.contents
 
+	if(malfunction_check(usr))
+		return
+
 	if(canremove)
 		usr << "<span class='warning'>The suit is not active.</span>"
 		return
diff --git a/code/modules/clothing/spacesuits/rig/suits/light.dm b/code/modules/clothing/spacesuits/rig/suits/light.dm
index 0a18f3c640..6c89a0058b 100644
--- a/code/modules/clothing/spacesuits/rig/suits/light.dm
+++ b/code/modules/clothing/spacesuits/rig/suits/light.dm
@@ -75,6 +75,9 @@
 
 	..()
 
+/obj/item/weapon/rig/light/ninja/malfunction_check()
+	return 0 //even as strong as ninjas are, they may not be able to afford being blocked from switching modules for 20 seconds
+
 /obj/item/weapon/rig/light/stealth
 	name = "stealth suit control module"
 	suit_type = "stealth"