diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/qdel.dm b/code/__DEFINES/qdel.dm
index 3042ff6d302..b623ce72158 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/qdel.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/qdel.dm
@@ -6,4 +6,7 @@
 #define QDEL_HINT_HARDDEL_NOW	4 //qdel should assume this object won't gc, and hard del it post haste.
 #define QDEL_HINT_PUTINPOOL		5 //qdel will put this object in the atom pool.
 #define QDEL_HINT_FINDREFERENCE	6 //functionally identical to QDEL_HINT_QUEUE if TESTING is not enabled in _compiler_options.dm.
-								  //if TESTING is enabled, qdel will call this object's find_references() verb.
\ No newline at end of file
+								  //if TESTING is enabled, qdel will call this object's find_references() verb.
+
+// A convenient wrapper around checking for qdeletion/non-existence
+#define exists(A)	(A && !qdeleted(A))
diff --git a/code/game/machinery/recycler.dm b/code/game/machinery/recycler.dm
index 194c384a175..4a9d8c439ae 100644
--- a/code/game/machinery/recycler.dm
+++ b/code/game/machinery/recycler.dm
@@ -113,7 +113,9 @@ var/const/SAFETY_COOLDOWN = 100
 
 	for(var/i in to_eat)
 		var/atom/movable/AM = i
-		if(isliving(AM))
+		if(!exists(AM))
+			continue
+		else if(isliving(AM))
 			if(emagged)
 				crush_living(AM)
 			else
@@ -123,8 +125,7 @@ var/const/SAFETY_COOLDOWN = 100
 			items_recycled++
 		else
 			playsound(loc, 'sound/machines/buzz-sigh.ogg', 50, 0)
-			if(AM)
-				AM.loc = loc
+			AM.forceMove(loc)
 
 	if(items_recycled && sound)
 		playsound(loc, item_recycle_sound, 100, 0)