diff --git a/code/game/objects/items.dm b/code/game/objects/items.dm
index 7e491d073eb..6bd6bc7a0d7 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items.dm
@@ -1043,7 +1043,7 @@ GLOBAL_DATUM_INIT(welding_sparks, /mutable_appearance, mutable_appearance('icons
   * * direct_attackby_item - Used if the cigarette item is clicked on directly with a lighter instead of a mob wearing a cigarette.
   */
 /obj/item/proc/cigarette_lighter_act(mob/living/user, mob/living/target, obj/item/direct_attackby_item)
-	if(!user || !target)
+	if(!user || !istype(target))
 		return null
 
 	var/obj/item/clothing/mask/cigarette/cig = direct_attackby_item ? direct_attackby_item : target.wear_mask