diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm
index c1239ac9567..e028d9c57cd 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_defense.dm
@@ -474,9 +474,11 @@ emp_act
 			return FALSE
 
 	var/obj/item/organ/external/affecting = get_organ(ran_zone(user.zone_selected))
+
+	// if the targeted limb doesn't exist, pick a new one at random so you don't have to swap target zone
 	if(!affecting)
-		to_chat(user, "<span class='danger'>They are missing that limb!</span>")
-		return FALSE
+		affecting = pick(bodyparts)
+
 	var/hit_area = parse_zone(affecting.limb_name)
 
 	if(user != src)