diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_mob.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_mob.dm
index 9f59245eca0..89df066d838 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_mob.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/human_mob.dm
@@ -252,9 +252,9 @@
 			if(bomb_armor)
 				brute_loss = 30 * (2 - round(bomb_armor * 0.01, 0.05))
 				burn_loss = brute_loss				//Damage gets reduced from 120 to up to 60 combined brute+burn
-			if(check_ear_prot() < HEARING_PROTECTION_TOTAL)
-				Deaf(2 MINUTES)
+			if(ears && check_ear_prot() < HEARING_PROTECTION_TOTAL)
 				ears.receive_damage(30)
+			Deaf(2 MINUTES)
 			Weaken(stuntime)
 			KnockDown(stuntime * 3) //Up to 15 seconds of knockdown
 
@@ -262,9 +262,9 @@
 			brute_loss = 30
 			if(bomb_armor)
 				brute_loss = 15 * (2 - round(bomb_armor * 0.01, 0.05)) //Reduced from 30 to up to 15
-			if(check_ear_prot() < HEARING_PROTECTION_TOTAL)
-				Deaf(1 MINUTES)
+			if(ears && check_ear_prot() < HEARING_PROTECTION_TOTAL)
 				ears.receive_damage(15)
+			Deaf(1 MINUTES)
 			KnockDown(10 SECONDS - bomb_armor) //Between no knockdown to 10 seconds of knockdown depending on bomb armor
 			valid_limbs = list("l_hand", "l_foot", "r_hand", "r_foot")
 			limb_loss_chance = 25