diff --git a/code/__HELPERS/lists.dm b/code/__HELPERS/lists.dm
index 7cad8ab9d69..2883c5ca5df 100644
--- a/code/__HELPERS/lists.dm
+++ b/code/__HELPERS/lists.dm
@@ -207,6 +207,7 @@ proc/listclearnulls(list/list)
 
 //Mergsort: does the actual sorting and returns the results back to sortAtom
 /proc/mergeAtoms(var/list/atom/L, var/list/atom/R, var/order = 1)
+	if(!L || !R) return 0
 	var/Li=1
 	var/Ri=1
 	var/list/result = new()
diff --git a/code/__HELPERS/unsorted.dm b/code/__HELPERS/unsorted.dm
index fec0900cf1b..db7e4dc3ecb 100644
--- a/code/__HELPERS/unsorted.dm
+++ b/code/__HELPERS/unsorted.dm
@@ -1385,6 +1385,7 @@ proc/is_hot(obj/item/W as obj)
 
 //Returns 1 if the given item is capable of popping things like balloons, inflatable barriers, or cutting police tape.
 /proc/can_puncture(obj/item/W as obj)		// For the record, WHAT THE HELL IS THIS METHOD OF DOING IT?
+	if(!istype(W)) return 0
 	if(!W) return 0
 	if(W.sharp) return 1
 	return ( \