diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/borer.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/borer.dm
index 3e0c3605eda..df0a4d533b2 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/borer.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/simple_animal/borer.dm
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
 
 	if(host)
 
-		if(!stat && !host.stat)
+		if(!stat && host.stat != DEAD)
 
 			if(host.reagents.has_reagent("sugar"))
 				if(!docile)