diff --git a/code/game/gamemodes/cult/runes.dm b/code/game/gamemodes/cult/runes.dm
index b1388111f0f..da306d199e6 100644
--- a/code/game/gamemodes/cult/runes.dm
+++ b/code/game/gamemodes/cult/runes.dm
@@ -937,7 +937,8 @@ var/list/teleport_runes = list()
 	icon_state = "6"
 	construct_invoke = 0
 	color = rgb(200, 0, 0)
-	var/mob/living/summoned_guy = null
+	var/mob/living/carbon/human/summoned_guy = null
+	var/is_busy = 0
 
 /obj/effect/rune/manifest/New(loc)
 	..()
@@ -946,6 +947,10 @@ var/list/teleport_runes = list()
 	notify_ghosts("Manifest rune created in [get_area(src)].", 'sound/effects/ghost2.ogg', source = src)
 
 /obj/effect/rune/manifest/can_invoke(mob/living/user)
+	if(is_busy)
+		to_chat(user,"<span class='cultitalic'>The rune is already in use.</span>")
+		fail_invoke()
+		return list()
 	if(!(user in get_turf(src)))
 		to_chat(user,"<span class='cultitalic'>You must be standing on [src]!</span>")
 		fail_invoke()
@@ -986,6 +991,7 @@ var/list/teleport_runes = list()
 	ticker.mode.add_cultist(new_human.mind, 0)
 	summoned_guy = new_human
 	to_chat(new_human, "<span class='cultitalic'><b>You are a servant of [ticker.mode.cultdat.entity_title3]. You have been made semi-corporeal by the cult of [ticker.mode.cultdat.entity_name], and you are to serve them at all costs.</b></span>")
+	is_busy = 1
 
 	while(user in get_turf(src))
 		if(user.stat)
@@ -994,6 +1000,7 @@ var/list/teleport_runes = list()
 		sleep(3)
 
 	qdel(N)
+	is_busy = 0
 	if(new_human)
 		new_human.visible_message("<span class='warning'>[new_human] suddenly dissolves into bones and ashes.</span>", \
 								  "<span class='cultlarge'>Your link to the world fades. Your form breaks apart.</span>")
@@ -1004,6 +1011,7 @@ var/list/teleport_runes = list()
 
 /obj/effect/rune/manifest/Destroy()
 	if(summoned_guy)
-		var/mob/living/carbon/human/H = summoned_guy
-		H.dust()
+		summoned_guy.dust()
+		summoned_guy = null
+		is_busy = 0
 	return ..()