diff --git a/code/modules/surgery/organs/tongue.dm b/code/modules/surgery/organs/tongue.dm
index 914c8cad..f09d61e5 100644
--- a/code/modules/surgery/organs/tongue.dm
+++ b/code/modules/surgery/organs/tongue.dm
@@ -212,6 +212,8 @@
 	phomeme_type = pick(phomeme_types)
 
 /obj/item/organ/tongue/bone/applyOrganDamage(var/d, var/maximum = maxHealth)
+	if(d < 0)
+		return
 	if(!owner)
 		return
 	var/target = owner.get_bodypart(BODY_ZONE_HEAD)