diff --git a/code/modules/research/xenoarchaeology/machinery/artifact_harvester.dm b/code/modules/research/xenoarchaeology/machinery/artifact_harvester.dm
index 776d91751c..441630af30 100644
--- a/code/modules/research/xenoarchaeology/machinery/artifact_harvester.dm
+++ b/code/modules/research/xenoarchaeology/machinery/artifact_harvester.dm
@@ -147,9 +147,9 @@
 					cur_artifact = analysed
 
 					//if both effects are active, we can't harvest either
-					if(cur_artifact.my_effect && cur_artifact.my_effect.activated && cur_artifact.secondary_effect.activated)
+					if(cur_artifact.my_effect && cur_artifact.my_effect.activated && cur_artifact.secondary_effect && cur_artifact.secondary_effect.activated)
 						src.visible_message("<b>[src]</b> states, \"Cannot harvest. Source is emitting conflicting energy signatures.\"")
-					else if(!cur_artifact.my_effect.activated && !cur_artifact.secondary_effect.activated)
+					else if(!cur_artifact.my_effect.activated && !(cur_artifact.secondary_effect && cur_artifact.secondary_effect.activated))
 						src.visible_message("<b>[src]</b> states, \"Cannot harvest. No energy emitting from source.\"")
 
 					else