diff --git a/code/game/machinery/computer/buildandrepair.dm b/code/game/machinery/computer/buildandrepair.dm
index 1f13887af46..94625961bc7 100644
--- a/code/game/machinery/computer/buildandrepair.dm
+++ b/code/game/machinery/computer/buildandrepair.dm
@@ -551,6 +551,10 @@
 				to_chat(user, "<span class='warning'>[src] does not accept circuit boards of this type!</span>")
 				return
 
+			if(!B.build_path)
+				to_chat(user, "<span class='warning'>This is not a functional computer circuit board!</span>")
+				return
+
 			B.play_tool_sound(src)
 			to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You place [B] inside [src].</span>")
 			name += " ([B.board_name])"
diff --git a/code/game/machinery/constructable_frame.dm b/code/game/machinery/constructable_frame.dm
index 3159cec72a0..43208497026 100644
--- a/code/game/machinery/constructable_frame.dm
+++ b/code/game/machinery/constructable_frame.dm
@@ -99,6 +99,9 @@
 			if(istype(P, /obj/item/circuitboard))
 				var/obj/item/circuitboard/B = P
 				if(B.board_type == "machine")
+					if(!B.build_path)
+						to_chat(user, "<span class='warning'>This is not a functional machine board!</span>")
+						return
 					playsound(src.loc, B.usesound, 50, 1)
 					to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You add the circuit board to the frame.</span>")
 					circuit = P