diff --git a/code/game/machinery/portable_turret.dm b/code/game/machinery/portable_turret.dm
index e95ef133f7b..65a02ec584d 100644
--- a/code/game/machinery/portable_turret.dm
+++ b/code/game/machinery/portable_turret.dm
@@ -531,7 +531,8 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(turret_icons)
 
 		if(ismecha(A))
 			var/obj/mecha/ME = A
-			assess_and_assign(ME.occupant, targets, secondarytargets)
+			if(isliving(ME.occupant))
+				assess_and_assign(ME.occupant, targets, secondarytargets)
 
 		else if(istype(A, /obj/vehicle))
 			var/obj/vehicle/T = A